Pamela Barrett (centre) with two of her grandchildren: Jessica, 10, and Ollie, 4. Mrs Barrett, from Moreton Hall, died following a night out.

THE devastated family of a “selfless and supportive” mother who died from a head injury suffered on a night out say they may never be sure what caused the tragic accident.

Pamela Barrett, 52, from Emsworth Close, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, had been out with family and friends in Saxmundham when she either collapsed or fell.

She suffered a head injury, from which she died in Ipswich Hospital two days later.

Her daughters Julie Salisbury and Jaime Reichert - neither of whom were there at the time - said there were no eye witnesses to the actual incident, but it seemed like she had fallen back into an alleyway close to Angel Yard and down the stairs.

Miss Reichert, 29, of Mustow Street, Bury, said: “Apparently we will never know whether she fell or collapsed.”

Mrs Salisbury, 31, added: “She was walking home with my uncle and he had just gone into the kebab shop.”

Miss Reichert, a mother-of-two, added how she was accepting what she had been told. “I think it makes it easier to deal with. If not, you are always going to be wondering, aren’t you?”

An inquest has been opened into Mrs Barrett’s death, which is not being treated at suspicious, and a post-mortem examination showed she died from internal bleeding in the brain as a result of a head injury.

Her daughters spoke of a much-loved woman, a grandmother-of-five, who “lived for her family”.

“If she wasn’t working, she was with us or the kids”, said Miss Reichert.

“Her hobbies were her grandchildren,” Mrs Salisbury added.

They also described their mother, who was a widow, as someone who said what she thought and was very laid-back and selfless.

Miss Reichert said: “If she had it, she would give it to you.”

Mrs Salisbury, a mother-of-two, said being a good listener was a quality they had discovered everyone liked about their mother through the many tribute comments left on her Facebook page.

One comment from a colleague read: “Thank you for your help and support Pam. I will never forget you! Your laugh and your smile will never be forgotten. Love to your family. RIP beautiful. Lots of love always.”

Angela Warriner, who was child minder to the sisters’ children, commented: “Pam, you were a truly amazing person, always working hard and putting your family first.

“They were very lucky to have a great mum/nannie like you. Sweet dreams, you will be missed do much.”

Mrs Barrett had worked at Premier Foods in Bury for more than 20 years, which was a job she had during the week, and worked as a house keeper at the BMI hospital in the town at weekends.

The sisters said they had received many cards, flowers and messages in tribute and support following the death of their mother, who also leaves her son Jeremy Reichert, 33, who lives in the States.

They added that they wanted to thank the people who contacted the emergency services for their mother, which enabled her to be treated quickly.

Mrs Salisbury said what had happened had come as a real shock as you do not expect your mother to die so soon.

“She did so much for us. I think we are going to struggle to cope and I think particularly for the grand kids, when it does sink in, I think it’s going to be quite tough on them.”

The funeral, which is open to the public, is taking place on Thursday at 9.45am at West Suffolk Crematorium in Risby.