A POPULAR pub singer and grandma has died suddenly while on holiday in Turkey.

Mum-of-two Patsy Berry, 49, of Spring Street, Rishton, was on the last day of a two-week holiday with fiance and karaoke partner Lyndon Cocker when she suffered a fit while sunbathing on the beach.

The couple were at the resort of Olu Deniz making plans for their wedding next summer when the tragedy happened.

Lyndon, 52, a DJ in the Rishton area, said: "We were all packed and ready to come home.

"Patsy was just sunbathing when she turned to me and said her arms were feeling funny and tingly. I said: ‘Well, you have been sunbathing for four hours’.

"She came into the shade but suddenly had a big fit and that was it. She lost consciousness instantly. It seemed like a lifetime waiting for the ambulance.

"Our friends Tony and Sharon, who we had met on holiday, came with me to the hospital but by the time we got there we were told she had died.

"Doctors suspect she had a brain haemorrhage but they haven’t done a post-mortem yet."

The day after her death, a sea of roses ceremony was held on the beach, organised by the hotel where they stayed.

Lyndon, who works as a stock controller and driver at Arnold Clark in Accrington, returned home last Thursday.

He said: "The worst thing was coming back with all her luggage, and only her handbag to talk to.

"I had a phone call on Wednesday to say her body would be flown from Turkey and arrive at Manchester today (Friday). We won’t know whether there will be an inquest until she is home and then we can start arranging the funeral."

Patsy worked as a seamstress at Simon Jersey uniform specialists in Altham, but was best-known for her regular singing slots and duets with Lyndon in pubs throughout Hyndburn and Blackburn.

She also leaves daughter Jodi, 30, and son Steven, 28, from a previous marriage, sisters Julia, Joan, Marilyn and Sharon, brothers Alan and David, and grandchildren Charlotte, Tyler and Elisse.

Her devastated family said the former Norden High School pupil was always the life and soul of the party and would be remembered for her love of glitter, sparkly clothes and funny handbags.

Daughter Jodi Roper, of Bridge Street, Rishton, said: "My mum would do anything for anyone. She was really loving, friendly and generous.

"She wasn’t just a mum, she was my best friend.

"Everybody is just so shocked. We have all had a good cry, but I don’t think it has really sunk in with anyone yet."

Sister Joan Morton, also of Spring Street, Rishton, said: "We have a big family and we are all very close. We have all got to pull together now."

Lyndon, who met Patsy on the karaoke circuit in the Cross Axes pub in Great Harwood four years ago, said: "Everyone knew her and loved her. I did the DJ-ing and she did the singing. She loved all the classics from the 60s and 70s."

THERE was more heartbreak for the family when Lyndon’s home was raided by callous thieves – on the night he had returned from a tribute party at the Lomax Arms, Great Harwood, in Patsy’s memory.

While he was sleeping, the burglars stole treasured sentimental items including Patsy’s handbags, glasses, photographs of the couple and even sympathy cards sent to the family.

Patsy’s sister Joan Morton, who is offering a reward, said: "These people need catching. To think someone has taken her personal things that are of no value to anyone is very upsetting. We just want them back."