Mother-of-two, 46, dies of mystery illness just 12 days after being struck down with flu-like symptoms on holiday

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A father has spoken of his heartbreak after his 'fantastic' wife died suddenly just 12 days after developing an unknown illness weeks before Christmas.

Lesley Dinsdale began to experience flu-like symptoms while on a family holiday with husband Robert and their two children, Isaac, nine, and Olivia, 12, in Glaisdale, North Yorkshire.

When the family got home to Wawne, Hull, the 46-year-old's illness got progressively worse, and she was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary in an ambulance. She died just 12 days later on November 16.

Lesley Dinsdale, pictured with her children, Isaac, nine, left, and Olivia, 12, right, died almost a fortnight after collapsing while on holiday from a mystery illness

Mrs Dinsdale, pictured with her husband Robert, left, fell into a coma following a family holiday in Glaisdale, North Yorkshire

Mr Dinsdale said his family has been devastated by the loss of his wife of 13 years

Now, her family are facing Christmas without her - and without knowing why she died. 'We didn't get a proper chance to say goodbye,' said Mr Dinsdale, 60. 'I'm shocked, devastated and angry as Lesley was taken far too young.

'Christmas is going to be so difficult for us - my children are in a state of shock and haven't really come to terms with the fact that their mum has gone forever.

'As soon as people got to know Lesley, they would love her,' said Mr Dinsdale, who married Mrs Dinsdale 13 years ago. 'She was just fantastic - such an excellent wife and mother that thought the world of the kids, and a person that would try anything once who was just so positive.

'Her smile was infectious and her laugh would just light up a room - Lesley never had a bad word for anyone and would do anything for anyone.

'Lesley was a very strong and independent lady and great at anything arty farty.

'She loved her kids and she and I loved each other very much.'

An inquest will need to take place to establish the cause of her death after tests have been carried out, but the hospital established that she did not have an infection or virus.

'Tragedy happens all the time in life, but it's something you never think will happen to you, especially after it just came completely out of the blue,' said Mr Dinsdale. 'Lesley fought amazingly but just didn't manage to pull through, despite the best efforts of the staff at the hospital who were phenomenal and left no stone unturned in trying to find out what was wrong with Lesley in order to try and treat her.

'Me and Lesley's mum were with her in the final minutes that she passed, but she couldn't communicate with us - it was such a shame that she deteriorated so fast and that we didn't realise what was happening, as we didn't get the proper chance to say goodbye, but we have the memories of her and always will.'

Mrs Dinsdale, pictured, will be laid to rest following a funeral service in Wawne, Hull on Friday

Mrs Dinsdale was well known in the East Yorkshire village for being the 'Avon lady' - a role she took up alongside several part time jobs after leaving her career as a child welfare officer in schools to dedicate more time to raising her family.

She most recently ran the business 'Made By Lesley', where she made memory bears from treasured clothing as keepsakes.

'The passing of Lesley has devastated many in the community, and people just can't believe that she's gone,' said Mr Dinsdale. 'We moved to the village in 2010 and she integrated herself in to the community pretty well as she used to take Avon deliveries and became known as the 'Avon lady'.

'The kids went to school in Wawne as well and Lesley made friends with a lot of the parents, so the loss has been felt by all those that knew her where we live, and so many people are completely shaken and sad that she's gone.

'We've had huge support from friends and family and a lot of support on Facebook as well, so we know there's lots of people out there looking out for us and thinking of us.'

Mr Dinsdale says he is now trying to stay positive for the sake of his young family. He said: 'I feel quite vulnerable now with Lesley gone and with the kids to raise that are still so young, but I'm trying to remain positive like Lesley would and know that life goes on and that we'll have to make the best of it no matter what has happened, but at the moment it's just all still so surreal.

'But I take consolation in the fact that they have both known their mum long enough to always remember her, and know what she would think and say.

'Through this that she will continue to be an influence in their lives even though she's not here.

'We will be happy again one day but for now it's just taking one day at a time.'

The family are inviting anyone who wishes to pay their respects to Mrs Dinsdale's funeral on Friday, December 7, at 1pm at St Peter's Church in Wawne. Rather than flowers, the family are asking mourners to make a donation to charity at the end of the service.