A FAMILY have been left heartbroken after their teenage daughter died two days after Christmas.
Maisie-Jade Thornton, 14, was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago after a bout of seizures.
The much-loved teenager was in good spirits as she celebrated Christmas day with her large family in Accrington, Lancashire, including her Dad, Stewart Thornton and step-mum Mel Stott, Lancs Live reported.
"They had like 13 or 14 family members over for Christmas Day, my brother and his girlfriend Mel," Maisie-Jade's auntie Kelly, explained.
"She really enjoyed herself, she had a really good Christmas Day. I've got a picture of her smiling.
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"She was happy with all her presents, she got all sorts."
But two days after, Maisie-Jade suffered what is believed to be a seizure in her sleep while staying at her mum Rhiannon's house.
Kelly added: "She had just gone to sleep as normal.
"Her mum found her in the morning when she went down."
Kelly added her niece was a popular pupil who would always put others first.
She continued: "She was just so nice and caring and she would do anything for anyone.
She was always smiling, always. We called her 'Moo' as well, the whole family called her Maisie Moo."
"It's just broken us as a family.
"I mean it's brought us together even more, but it's just broken us. We don't know what to do with ourselves."
Dad Stewart paid tribute to her "sweet" daughter as the family struggle with her passing.
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"We will always love and miss her," he said.
In the meantime, Kelly has created a GoFundMe page for donations towards Maisie-Jade's funeral, which at present has raised over £6,000.
"It's amazing," she said.
"We're just so overwhelmed at people's generosity and support.
"We're a big family anyway, but I'm just overwhelmed by how much it's been shared."
Attendees at Maisie-Jade's funeral will wear purple in a nod to Maisie-Jade's favourite colour.
