Family devastated by sudden death of Ajay Much-loved motherof-five was ‘life and soul of the party’

A family is mourning the death of a “bubbly and kind” 45-yearold mum who they say was the life and soul of the party on the city housing estate where she lived.

Ajay Keller had been in hospital ever since collapsing on Christmas Day, when her partner desperately tried to revive her while they waited for paramedics to arrive.

She was just a young teenager when she moved to Quern’s Road in Canterbury with her parents.

She went on to stay on the estate and have five children of her own.

Now, Marley, 26, Kamber, 21, Drei, 20, Lennox, 16, and Macey, 10, have been left heartbroken by their mum’s sudden and unexpected death.

“Everyone loved our mum, she was a beautiful soul and an amazing friend to so many” said Kamber, who studied beauty therapy at Canterbury College.

“She was so bubbly and kind and always smiling.

“But she really lived for us and was so thrilled to have just had her first grandchild.”

Ajay worked as a cleaner at both St Martin’s and the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

She also did a hairdressing diploma at Canterbury College.

But she dedicated most of her time to her family.

Kamber explained: “We are all heartbroken because it was so unexpected and she was so young.”

The family had been preparing for Christmas Day celebrations when Ajay collapsed in the kitchen from suspected heart failure.

Her partner Francois Spaul tried unsuccessfully to revive her and she was rushed to the QEQM hospital.

But she never recovered and died on February 21.

“Mum lived life to the full and was a kind of go-to neighbour for anything from a cup of sugar to a shoulder to cry on,” said Kamber.

“We have just been overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and the messages of support since she died and that has given us some comfort.”

The family is now hoping to give her “the best possible send- off” when she is laid to rest later this month.

Her funeral is due to take place at 11.20am on Saturday, March 23 at Barham Crematorium.

They have set up a Gofundme page to help with the costs which has already raised almost £2,000 of the £3,500 target.

“We really appreciate everyone’s generosity at this difficult time,” said Kamber.

To visit the page and donate to the cause, visit https://bit.ly/2tTytkx.