TRIBUTES have been paid to a wife and mother whose smile “lit up the universe”.

Leeann Fugeman, 45, died on July 6 after fighting breast cancer for the second time.

Her husband David has shared some of the memories they made with their children - Jordan, 19, Gemma, 15, Aaron, 14, and Ocean, 12.

He said: “She was the love of my life. Leeann was very much a family orientated person, she loved our kids and she would do anything for them.

“Leeann hosted parties and events every year for charity and she would go more or less anywhere in the world to support anyone else.

“Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, from that point onwards she put in masses of effort.”

Leeann grew up in Sawbridgeworth with parents Ron and June and older brother Steven, before moving to Braintree about 30 years ago.

She met David at ice hockey and they married at Fennes in 1999, six years after their first date at a fireworks party.

Leeann, who created a bucket list, spent her days arranging surprises.

Mr Fugeman said: “Our two youngest children wanted a treehouse and she organised for what is probably the world’s sturdiest treehouse with hammocks to be built.

“While being very ill and in a wheelchair Leeann also arranged to go to Cadbury World and on the way back we put in a surprise for all four children to go indoor skydiving.

“This was the type of person she was, she lived for the kids.”

Leeann’s celebration is at 1pm on Thursday in Three Counties Crematorium.

Donations can be made to Farleigh Hospice and Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

Visit Leeann’s memorial page at drobinson.co.uk/in-memory-pages and search for Fugeman.