‘Paige was our princess’
Heartbroken family pay tribute to nine-year-old girl who died suddenly
The grandmother of a nineyear-old girl has paid tribute to the family’s “little princess” after she died suddenly on Mother's Day.
Just two days after her ninth birthday, Paige Evans sadly died on Sunday, March 14.
Her death has left her family with a huge hole in their lives.
Paige’s short life was impacted with many health problems after she was diagnosed with cerebal palsy at a young age, as well as being deaf and blind.
However despite this, her grandmother, Kay Gibb, said Paige lived a happy life and her death was unexpected.
The 49-year-old from Hylton Castle said: “She was very well loved, she always had such a cheeky little smile despite her health problems.
"She had the biggest blue eyes, like a little princess, and she was always grinning.
"She was just a right little character.”
Her mum Beth Evans, 28, dad Paul Evans, 36, and younger siblings Brody Evans, five, and Summer Evans, two, have been left devastated by her death.
Kay said: “Their whole lives revolved around her and it was just so sudden.
"We’re all totally devastated as her death was completely unexpected.
"Despite her problems she has been really healthy recently.
“Unfortunately her heart just stopped in the middle of the night, and our lives will never be the same again, we will love her and miss her forever.”
Paige’s family are now hoping to raise enough money to be able to give “their princess” the send-off that she deserves.
Kay added: “Paige was always our little princess and her mum Beth has decided that she is going to have a funeral that is fit for a princess.
"We’re hoping to get a horse-drawn carriage to take her to her final resting place and we’re going to make sure everything is pink and glittery for her.”
The family have said that Paige was well known at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where she received treatment, and at Villa Real School in Consett, which she attended.
“It’s a shame that with Covid we cannot have loads of people there to pay their respects,” Kay said.