A grief-stricken family have told of their shock after a devoted mum suddenly died from a cardiac arrest a week after her 40th birthday.

Lynn Schwentke, from Princes Park in Chatham, was on her way to London with her mum as part of her milestone celebrations when she fell ill.

The mother-of-three boys, aged 20, nine and three, died with her mum by her side as paramedics made frantic efforts to revive her.

Lynn was travelling to Chatham train station when she stopped off at her younger sister's home in Luton because she was going to be sick.

After vomiting, she came downstairs from the bathroom and assured her mum, Athina, she felt well enough to get the train to attend a book signing by her favourite actor, Sam Heughan, in the capital.

She suddenly started to fit. This was was when medically-trained Athina, 61, started doing CPR.

An ambulance crew tried for 90 minutes to revive Lynn. She was pronounced dead at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Meanwhile, her younger brother Kevin, 36, had driven to Hatfield in Hertfordshire to pick up her student son, unaware that Lynn, described as “the rock” of the close-knit German family, had passed away.

Grandmother Athina said the loss of her "amazing" eldest daughter had come completely out of the blue and left a huge hole in their lives.

Athina, who lives with husband Anthony also in Princes Park, said: “When I lost my father 23 years ago, my world stopped. But nothing can be the same as losing one of your own children.

"I felt so helpless. Her pulse and heartbeat were normal.

"She had asthma so at first we thought it was an attack. And then Lynn thought it was a trapped nerve in her back."

As well as being a devoted mum, Lynn had also been a carer for her mother and looked after Kevin who has mental health issues.

Athina added: "Lynn was a truly amazing person, so strong.

“I shall never forget her lovely smile.”

Since her passing on Monday, November 6, the family have been flooded with messages from well-wishers, including friends from Scotland where they initially lived after arriving in the UK in 2009.

One friend has got a dolphin tattoo done as a tribute to Lynn who liked the sea creatures.

Kevin said: “It’s a huge loss for her children, partner Steve, our family and friends.

“She had a heart as big as the universe. She put her life on hold just to help others.

“She didn’t have much herself, yet she always made sure to help those in need. She was not just my sister, but also my best friend.

“Lynn was always so strong, nothing could throw her off the rails."

He added that while past events, including a miscarriage and road accident, had thrown her into depression, she had overcome problems.

Her friends and family had thrown a surprise birthday party for Lynn the week before and she had gone to Nottingham to watch a live wrestling tournament as part of her celebrations.

The family have created a GoFundMe page to help pay for Lynn’s funeral.

Any extra will go into a savings account for Joey, nine and Ronan, aged three to help pay for treats.

The funeral takes place at 11 am on Wednesday, December 6 at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill.

The family has requested that mourners wear colourful clothes, in particular ocean shades as Lynn was fond of mermaids and dolphins.