Kathy Kurtanjek, 23, of Brookhill Road, Copthorne, was sent home from work with a headache but tragically died in hospital two days later.

That night popular Kathy developed symptoms similar to deadly brain bug meningitis and was rushed to East Surrey Hospital, in Redhill where she slipped into a coma.

And just hours later on Friday (August 22), after being transferred to St George's Hospital in Tooting, the tragic youngster passed away as her family gathered by her bedside.

Distraught mum Marcia Kurtanjek said: "Kathy and I were the closest a mum and daughter can get. I am devastated by her loss. My children have been all I live for, but I am lucky to have my son, David, as my tower of strength.

"She is the brightest star in my universe and always will be and I thank God that she didn't survive without a good quality of life."

A brain scan at St George's Hospital, in London, showed severe swelling in Kathy's brain and a growth – thought to be a colloid cyst. But despite emergency brain surgery the 23-year-old never woke up.

Marcia added: "It has been a terrible time but we are so grateful for the love that has been expressed since losing Kathy. It is giving us great strength and comfort."

"Kathy dearly loved all her family. Everyone she met was impressed by her kind and caring nature, wonderful smile and sense of humour.

"It is a tragedy but there are many aspects to be grateful for. Kathy suffered for a relatively short time and she looked extremely beautiful and unblemished until the end."

Fun-loving Kathy, who enjoyed Le Roc dancing and Salsa, worked in Crawley as a travel consultant for town centre energy firm Doosan Babcock.

Jeremy Day, head of HR, said: "In the time that Kathy was with us her bright, cheerful, professional personality made a huge impact with everyone that she came into contact with.

"Strong friendships were formed with a number of her colleagues who, together with the rest of the organisation, will greatly miss her."

The Kurtanjek family are appealing for Observer readers to follow Kathy's example and become organ donors.

The psychology graduate signed up earlier this year and since her sudden death has helped more than a dozen people.

Marcia said: "It was a hard process, to go through her body deciding what could be donated, but she ticked the 'all' box which helped us to be brave.

"We have heard since that she has helped 20 people and it is a great comfort to know that some suffering has been relieved through her generosity."

Kathy graduated with an honours degree in psychology and sociology from Hull University.

She leaves mum Marcia, dad Mike, brother David, grandfather Paul and grandparents Anne and Stan.

Katherine's funeral will take place on Wednesday September 3 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium.