TRIBUTES have been paid to a much loved teacher, wife and mother who died at the age of just 57.

Rosa Garcia Cox, who taught Spanish across Bolton and Lancashire, including at Bolton Muslim Girls, died on December 23 after being diagnosed with a rare cancer earlier in the year.

Husband Martyn Cox, who is the deputy leader of Bolton Council, led the tributes to his wife.

He said: “We are all heartbroken by Rosa’s death she was hugely popular both in Spain and Bolton and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Rosa was cared for throughout her illness by a large and loving family who will never quite get over the loss.”

Rosa grew up in Madrid and qualified as an English teacher before moving to Bolton in 1997. The couple raised their family ­— Andrew, aged 18, Marianne, aged 16 and Carolina, aged 31 ­— in Lostock.

Rosa worked in a freelance capacity to fit around her family and friends.

She worked as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher, which she was said to have very much enjoyed. This included teaching Spanish at Bolton Muslim Girls School. She also worked as a translator and also put on classes in Spanish cooking.

“She loved her family and friends, they were her passion,” said Cllr Cox. “Rosa was so well known, she knew far more people than I did in Bolton and knew people from all over the world. She worked on those friendships.

“One of her friends had moved to Canada but they would still make time for coffee together, arranging a time to link up on the computer ­— and pour themselves a coffee.

“Rosa has always been a people’s person, truly generous, warm and welcoming person.”

Rosa was diagnosed with a very rare form of leiomyosarcoma just over seven months ago. She was treated at the Royal Bolton Hospital and The Christie Hospital.

She died in Spain after a brave fight against the cancer.

“She loved Christmas,” said Cllr Cox, “She had a strong faith and would worship at St John Fisher in Kearsley. Throughout her illness she never lost her deep faith and optimistic outlook on life.”

Many people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Rosa, with friend Shannon Day-Cheung writing: “Rosa wasn’t like your everyday friend. When Rosa chose you, when she connected with you, when you were important to her, she was yours for life, loyal genuine and true.

“We will have a mass to celebrate her life so that all her friend can participate,” said Cllr Cox.

A mass will take place in Bolton on February 29, with details of the service to follow.