A mum was found dead in bed - due to a ruptured stomach ulcer - days after experiencing pains in her side.
Gladys Jones's family has suffered double heartbreak after her 34-year-old daughter Sarah died in March following heart problems.
Her grieving mother didn't know she too was unwell and, though she suffered pains in her side on around Thursday May 2, she felt healthy.
The grandmother went to bed on Wednesday May 8, but was discovered lifeless the next morning.
Gladys' daughter Claire, 38, told Liverpool Echo: "My dad last saw her at 10pm when they went to bed - she was fine. My dad was going to work the next morning, checked on her and she had passed away.
"She's been on tablets for indigestion and heartburn but she wasn't aware she had an ulcer. My dad has lost his soul mate, he's been with my mum for 40 years.
"We're absolutely devastated. It's such a shock and I've spent every day with her since my sister passed away, just trying to keep her going."
The results of a post-mortem found Gladys, of Bootle, Merseyside, suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding caused by an ulcer which had ruptured in her stomach.
The carer "had a really close bond" with Sarah, who was born with a number of heart conditions including pulmonary stenosis - a condition that reduces blood flow around a valve in her organ.
Mum-of-three Sarah was due to have an operation two weeks before she died but was told by doctors she was too ill to have it.
Claire has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her mum's funeral which will be held on June 9.
Paying tribute to her mum, Claire said: "She had the biggest heart you could ever imagine. She was always there for anyone. Anything you needed she was there.
"She was really good at her job. We've had lots of recognition from service users and families saying how much she will be missed."
