A TEACHING assistant at a Penarth school who died while on holiday with her partner and three children was “full of love”, her family have said.

Emma Rees, who worked at Ysgol Y Deri in Penarth, collapsed while walking across a field in a campsite near Solva, Pembrokeshire on Monday, August 20.

Fellow holiday-makers attempted to revive the 35-year-old, but she was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Tests are now being carried out to find out her cause of death.

Ms Rees, of Barry, leaves behind her partner Ben Fitzgerald, her three sons Christopher Rees, Aneurin and Finn Fitzgerald, as well as her two sisters Samantha and Victoria Rees and her mum Sandra Rees.

Ms Rees and Mr Fitzgerald, 37, met at Beechwood College in Barry. They were together for 14 years, during which time they welcomed Aneurin, seven, and Finn, five.

Ms Rees also had Christopher, 18, from a previous relationship.

Mr Fitzgerald said when he found out his partner - who he described as his soulmate - had died, he was physically sick.

“I was in total shock, as I am now still really,” he said. “I was just shaking uncontrollably.

“We kept the little ones away from what was going on when it happened.

“Our five-year-old has high-end autism. His reaction was he can’t and does not want to process it.

“Our seven-year-old was just heartbroken.”

The 37-year-old added there is now “a hole in our lives” following the death of Ms Rees.

“Emma was a magical, full-of-life person,” he said.

“She was a kind, generous, fiery and passionate person.

“My children are amazingly strong and funny and they are helping me.

“We are all clinging to each other now.”

Ms Rees’ sister Samantha, who also works at Ysgol Y Deri, said her sister was “her second mum and her best friend”.

The 33-year-old said: “Emma was my second mum really, she was the person I looked to for advice in all situations.

“We lost our father very young, we were five, seven and nine. Emma just stepped up and she looked after us.

“She was my best friend.

“I worked with her and the amount of love she had for the children was wonderful.

“If she loved you then she would fight for you.

“She had our backs. She was a kind, caring and compassionate person.

“With her children she would fight to get them everything she needed.”

The family of Ms Rees have said they are grateful to those at the campsite for what they did to help Ms Rees and the family during the incident.

A JustGiving page has been set up to help support the family. To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/initwithyou-mitchell