A BURNLEY woman has died just weeks after being struck with severe stomach aches.

And today the family of 38-year-old Kathleen Doherty paid tribute to a loving mother, wife and sister.

Mrs Doherty, of Wellesley Street, Lowerhouse, died on June 13 of multi-organ failure after failing to recover from complications following a major operation to remove a growth in her abdomen and to repair a section of her intestines where she was internally bleeding.

The former St Augustine's Primary and St Hilda's RC High pupil, was married to Colin and had a son Bradley, nine, who was "the apple of her eye".

She had two stepchildren, Louise and Steven, and a brother Martin.

She lived in Lowerhouse all her life and was an active committee member and secretary of Lowerhouse Mills Club.

Colin said: "She was loved by everybody. She was a really popular person all throughout her life.

"She had an operation a few weeks ago to remove a cyst from her stomach and we thought she had got over the worst part but she just couldn't manage to fight it any more."

Her grandad passed away when she was 12 years old and, as a young woman, her mum died suddenly aged 48.

Her brother Martin said it was a loss from which she never fully recovered.

He said: "I can't think of anyone who didn't like her. My mum died when my sister was in her 20s. They were very close and I think it affected her all the way through her life.

"She was loved by everyone and she loved life. But she could never accept fully how much she was loved by others.

"She was very self conscious, never vain, and never took anyone for granted.

"She experienced happiness and sorrow, pleasure and pain and now, although with great sorrow at her passing, we hope and pray that she is at peace."

The funeral was due to take place at 10am today at St Augustine's Church, Lowerhouse.