'Caring, beautiful soul' dies suddenly at 20 on mum's birthday after going blind

A mother has been left devastated after her daughter tragically passed away on her birthday. Susan Burfoot was preparing to meet Olivia to mark the special day on August 13, when she received the heartbreaking news.

Olivia Bettney, 20, had battled Type 1 diabetes her entire life, but remained determined to pursue her studies and help others experiencing bereavement.

She had lost her father at just seven years old, and aspired to become a bereavement counsellor to support children facing similar tragedy. With this goal in mind, she had enrolled to study psychology and counselling at University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Swansea.

"It's really difficult, because when a child loses a parent, it's fine when it's a matter of course but he was very ill over a period of about 14 months and I think at the time, she really didn't quite understand what was going on," said Susan, 64.

"I work as a teaching assistant, and my colleagues really helped her, but there was nothing there for her. There was no counselling, there was nothing and she obviously saw that gap and decided, 'yes, that's what I want to do,'" Susan shared.

Olivia had battled health complications throughout the previous year, forcing her to defer her studies after losing her vision, which necessitated four surgical procedures to restore adequate sight, reports Wales Online.

"That was her this time last year and she was determined whatever happened that she was going to go to university. That is exactly what she did do, which is just the type of person she was," said Susan.

"She just wanted to help other children who are going through bereavement because she lost her father when she was seven.

"She always put others first. Very caring, a beautiful soul. She went through so much in her life, for somebody so young, and she always thought of others first. We're quite devastated."

Susan described the entire ordeal as feeling like a "bad dream".

"It feels like a bad dream. It's so hard. She wanted to do so much. I just wish it had been me instead. I would never want somebody else to go through it either, because it hurts so badly."

Susan also shared that Olivia was a huge Taylor Swift fan, loved colouring her hair and was known throughout the local area for having blue hair.

"She's very small, Olivia's 4 feet and 9 inches, so she's very little and very petite, but she just had the biggest heart. She was so family-oriented, and had so many friends.

"She was a gentle soul and so caring and thoughtful towards others."

Being a university student, Olivia often enjoyed nights out with her mum on Swansea's Wind Street along with her friends.

"It was kind of like having other daughters, it was just lovely," added Susan. "It's so funny that she included me in everything.

"I'm 40 years older than most of them, or even 45, it was crazy, but I just loved the bond I had with her."

The family have now established a fundraiser to arrange an unconventional farewell for Olivia. "We want it to be quirky like she was. We are at this point going to have a blue coffin because Olivia was known for her blue hair.

"We're going to have purple and blue wristbands with her name on them because we want people to never ever forget.

"I have three grandchildren who are eight, three, and one, and for them, I want them to remember and to celebrate how awesome she was and how special she was."

The full circumstances of Olivia's death have not been disclosed. You can help the family by donating to afundraiser towards Olivia's funeral costs here.