A FAMILY has turned to the community for help after the sudden and shocking death of their beloved mum.

Karen Willis was well known in Chard, building a loved reputation for her colourful character, purple clothes and sparkling hair.

Despite only living in the town for three years, the mum-of-three was known for working in Proper Job by day and laughing with her family at The Cerdic in the evening.

Last week, aged just 57, Karen, or Kaz as she was best known, passed away after a heart failure.

Her death was made even more devastating by the fact that Karen was due to get married next year.

Natasha, Kaz’s daughter, said: “She had only been in Chard for three years but everyone absolutely adored her.

“People would always come up to me and say they had seen her in Proper Job or over the road in Wetherspoons.

“So many people would be having a cigarette with her or see her dancing around.

“She was just amazing.”

Kaz initially worked at Proper Job in the town centre, but then became a full-time carer for her partner, Kev.

Natasha added: “Everyone who has sent us their condolences said how much of a character she was.

“She was never in plain clothes, she had purple hair and she wore hair tinsel so it would always sparkle.”

Her family were originally based in Oxfordshire but Natasha moved to Dorset 10 years ago.

Her parents and brothers soon followed, with Karen and Kev relocating to Chard, and now the whole family live in the South West.

“We love the way of life, it is so relaxed and chilled and everyone is friendly to each other”, said Natasha.

To further highlight her colourful character, Karen was planning to get married next year and walk down the aisle in a rather special dress.

Kaz’s daughter added: “She was going to wear a purple dress, and she was having a rainbow taffeta in her wedding dress, so I am in the process of sewing that so she can be buried in it.

“She wasn’t a normal mum or a normal 57-year-old. At my friend’s 40th birthday they were playing Status Quo and my mum was on the dancefloor on her knees headbanging.”

Kaz passed suddenly on October 1, sat on her sofa at home.

Natasha said: “She always said that when she went she wanted to just close her eyes and go, and that is what she did.”

Now Natasha, her dad and her family have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise vital cash to give Kaz a great send-off.

They added: “Kaz rarely saved her pennies - all the unicorn items, purple clothing and poppy jewellery in the world was at fault for that - so any help towards any funeral costs would be received with the highest gratitude possible.

“Mum, I can’t believe you’re gone, we are all lost without you.

“Thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts to everyone for the emotional support you have already given.”

To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/f/send-off-for-kaz.