A MUM who beat breast cancer died suddenly from heart failure just months later.

Deborah Forrest, known as Debs, was a community campaigner who worked with young people, providing activities to keep them out of trouble.

The 49-year-old also helped organise Horwich Carnival and volunteered at Brazley Youth Club.

And she worked full-time as a secretary, while running the home and bringing up daughters Abi aged 17 and Jess aged 15.

But her family were left shattered in May, when Mrs Forrest suffered heart failure and died.

Last night they paid tribute to “a wonderful wife and mother.”

Husband Wayne, aged 49, a Major in the Army, said: “She was always helping people, was so positive about life and somehow managed to find the time to do everything. She was so funny, she would give Peter Kay a run for his money with her jokes. She would always brighten up people’s days and put a smile on their face.”

Mrs Forrest was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2008 but following surgery and chemotherapy she was given the all clear in August last year.

Her death, on Wednesday, May 19, came as a massive shock to the family as she had been recovering well.

Mr Forrest said: “I spoke to her in the morning and she was fine, we had a laugh and a joke.

But then I got a call at 2pm from her brother John who came round and found her dead in the chair.

“We couldn’t believe it, no-one expected her to die.”

Mrs Forrest’s funeral took place at Overdale Crematorium last Friday and was attended by more than 200 people including the Mayor of Horwich Ken Thomson.

Her daughter Abi said: “She was always so enthusiastic about things, and that spread to other people. She was a great person and got on with everyone.”

Cllr Stephen Rock, leader of Horwich Town Council, set up Brazley Youth Club in 1999.

He said: “She was always happy and full of fun, even through her illness I never saw her down. It is such a big hole now she has gone. She was a star.”