A HEARTBROKEN friend has paid tribute to "beautiful soul" after promising to support her family and fulfil her final wish of raising £15,000 to help school children in Colchester.
Sylvia Toh, 43, from Colchester, died suddenly at Colchester Hospital, with the cause of her death yet to be confirmed.
More than £3,500 has been donated to an online crowdfunding page which was set up by Becky Bailey after the tragic death of her friend, who leaves behind her husband John, 42, and daughter Skyler, nine.
The page on the online fundraising platform JustGiving was set up after Becky made a promise to “stand by” her friend, who she described as her “rock”.
The 36-year-old said: “As I kissed her goodbye I made her a promise to stand by John and Skyler, support them and to love them, to guide Skyler through her childhood and into her adulthood.”
Alongside pals Michelle Bass, Jackie Paige, and Tayler Lloyd, the friends were part of a “sisterhood” whose children grew up together.
Becky has described Sylvia as the driving force behind the Friends of Lexden School parent-teacher association, where Sylvia took over as secretary in September last year.
“She had passion and dedication in striving to make a difference within Lexden Primary School, not just for the school children but to the whole school community,” she said.
“Sylvia was the driving force behind us all and expressed her desire to raise an almighty £15,000 before September, which, in her memory, I know we will.”
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'Forever grateful'
She added: “Sylvia wasn't just my friend she was my sister. One of the purest, beautiful, kindest souls that has ever graced my life. Always there to listen and guide me.
“She was my shoulder to cry on, my rock, my spiritual guide and most importantly she was always there when I needed her the most.
“She never judged me and she supported me through my darkest times. I'll be forever grateful for our friendship and call it a privilege that we had our sisterhood with the girls.”
About 190 well-wishers have donated to the JustGiving page, which Becky hopes will fund her friend’s funeral.
“When they’re ready to do so, I would love for John and Skyler to be able to spend a special day together remembering their forever special wife and mummy,” she added.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sylviacaroltoh.
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