Mum ‘determined to be herself again’

MOTHER-OF-TWO Jacqueline Kirk has been described as “funny and witty” by her family.

Jacqueline, known as Jackie, suffered horrendous injuries after the attack by her then-partner Steven Craig in April 1998.

Ms Kirk died from a ruptured diaphragm at the Royal United Hospital in Bath in August 2019. She was 61.

Her daughter Sonna paid tribute to her “strong-willed, strong-minded” mother, who was opinionated, “funny and witty”.

“She was determined to be herself again,” Sonna said.

“It was a hard road. My brother spent a long time with her, supporting her. She rekindled old friendships.

“That made a big, big difference because they helped her be the Jackie she was, and not a victim.

“We didn’t want her to be this person who suffered all these horrible things, we wanted her to build her life and be herself again.”

Sonna said her mother loved being outdoors and had a puppy, Molly, who she would walk a couple of times each day.

She praised the emergency services who treated Ms Kirk after the attack, as well as medical staff over the years.