Joyce Lewis, 57, from Turner Avenue, in Whiteleas, South Shields, is still coming to terms with the death of daughter Julia Lewis, 30, who died in March after battling depression.

Ms Lewis's best friend, Tanya Wester, from Ewart Crescent, South Shields, handed over the bouquet in our Thanks a Bunch feature, to let her know she will always be there for her.

Ms Wester said: "Joyce has had a really tough time lately – she's lost five members of her family, the most recent being Julia, and she's just got out of hospital after having a gall-bladder operation.

"I really wanted to cheer her up with some flowers and let her know how special she is.

"She's the best friend anyone could have."

Ms Lewis is now looking after her 15-year-old grand-daughter, Samantha, who has vowed to make her late mum proud by doing well in her GCSEs while at South Shields Community School.

The Gazette reported in April how Miss Lewis was found dead in Lizard Lane, Whitburn, on March 20.

At the time, Samantha said: "We still can't get our heads around it.

"We keep expecting her to pull up in the car and come in. It is really difficult.

"The house is too quiet. She was the life and soul. You knew when she was in."

The Year 11 pupil at South Shields Community School, revealed how her mum loved music and going to rave nights.

The dance version of Forever Young, Soldier of Fortune and Set You Free, by N-Trance, were played at her funeral.

Miss Lewis also took pride in her appearance, spending a fortune on creams and make-up.

"She had loads of DVDs and loved chick flicks like Bridget Jones's Diary," Samantha added.

"She also watched psychic and paranormal stuff on the television, like Most Haunted.

"She went to bingo and always had to use a purple pen. She also liked her Lottery scratchcards."

The coroner for South Tyneside has been informed of Miss Lewis's death and an inquest is expected to be opened at a later date.

* The Gazette and Westoe Florists, in Imeary Street, South Shields, have joined forces to give you the chance to thank someone who deserves it every Friday.

We'll be keeping all the entries on file, so if you didn't win this week, you could pick up a prize in the coming weeks.

To nominate someone, all you have to do is tell us, in less than 50 words, why you think they should receive a beautiful bouquet.

Write to: Margaret Hilburn, Thanks a Bunch, Shields Gazette, Chapter Row, South Shields, NE33 1BL or e-mail margaret.hilburn@northeast-press.co.uk and include all your details, including your telephone number.