Tribute to Ipswich mum Francesca Cross after her death

Mum-of-one Francesca Cross died on Wednesday, April 26 after suffering a burst aneurysm on the brain, leading to a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Long-time partner Ben Cook, 32, said Miss Cross, who was training to be a massage therapist, suddenly became unwell while lying in bed.

He said: "The day was normal. Francesca would often turn up at my work unannounced and bring me a coffee. 

"That night she came to visit me and I spent 10 to 15 minutes with her. She came back at 9.30pm when I finished.

Miss Cross with her family (Image: Family)

"When we got home, we shared a moment as she had an ectopic pregnancy last year and the anniversary was coming up.

"She was tired so we laid down in bed. We were talking for a while. But then she just stopped talking to me."

Miss Cross was rushed to hospital, but Mr Cook revealed there was nothing that could have been done to save her.

He also said Miss Cross, his partner of six years, had shown no symptoms of an aneurysm in the past and doctors had told him there was no way of predicting it would happen.

Miss Cross grew up in Ipswich and still has family members living in the town, but she had since moved to Stowmarket.

She was a reserve Army medic for many years before retraining to become a masseuse.

Miss Cross met her partner as he was good friends with her brother, Shane.

She was the daughter of Kevin and Berni, who has since passed away, and was the mum of 13-year-old Jessica.

Miss Cross added: "We had been together for six years, but the honeymoon phase never ended.

Miss Cross grew up in Ipswich but moved to Stowmarket (Image: Family)

"We had talked about getting married for some time – it was always on the cards. I was planning to ask the question later this year.

"Francesca didn't have a bad word to say about anyone. She would help anyone who need it and was never without a smile on her face.

"She was probably the best mum I have ever seen – she did everything for her daughter.

"She lived every day as if it was her last. Whenever I saw her, all of my problems would go away."

To help with the sudden costs of a funeral, Mr Cook has launched a GoFundMe online fundraiser with the aim of raising £7,000.

The total has already exceeded more than £5,000, boosted in part from a £2,000 donation from an anonymous backer.

Mr Cook praised everyone who had generously given to the fundraiser and said he was touched by the amount of people who had shared their memories of his partner.

He said: "I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has donated. I will be forever grateful for this.

"I would just love to be able to speak to everyone who donated and to be able to share our memories of Francesca.

"It is so nice to know that she touched so many lives."

Miss Cross' funeral will be held on the morning of Wednesday, May 17 at Ipswich Crematorium in the town.