A 32-year-old woman, Lydia Williams, has sadly passed away in her sleep while staying at a hotel in Madrid with her mother. Her family and friends have expressed their grief, stating she will "never lose her sparkle." Lydia was known for her mischievous wit, bold personality, and remarkable ability to uplift those around her, leaving a lasting impact on lives across Wales and beyond.

Lydia spent seven years in the United States with her husband, Ed, and their two beloved sphynx cats, El Blanco and Zorro. Despite being far from home, she remained deeply proud of her Welsh roots. Ed recalled, "She used to play Yma o Hyd by Dafydd Iwan on repeat. It made her feel passionate about Wales."

Professionally, Lydia worked in marketing, promotions, and wedding coordination, collaborating with various companies, including Pulse and Elizabeth Arden. Recently, she was based in New Hampshire, where she balanced her promotional work with mentoring disadvantaged youth through a buddying programme. Her mother remarked, "She gave 100% to everything she did. I always reminded my beautiful daughter, whatever you do - never lose your sparkle."

Lydia was an avid traveller, sharing her husband’s passion for African art and exploring diverse cuisines. Tributes have poured in from around the world, with many recounting how they met Lydia by chance and how she became a significant part of their lives. Her mother shared, "People have written to tell me that they met Lydia by happenstance - on a train, or in a queue - and she became part of their lives from that moment onwards."

Those who knew her described Lydia as humorous, empathetic, and radiant, with a personality that could light up any room. "She saw life as a wonderful adventure," her mother said. Lydia died peacefully at Madrid's Urban Hotel, where staff plan to hang a portrait of her as a tribute.

Ed expressed his deep love for Lydia, stating, "Marrying Lydia was, and will always be, the greatest decision of my lifetime. Although the years we had together ended far too soon, we filled those years travelling the world with enough memories to last a lifetime."

Her mother added, "If we can learn anything from Lydia, it's to follow your dreams, live life fully, hold on to loved ones, and be kind to others. We need more Lydias in this world. Life is short - live, love, laugh, and be happy."

The family has thanked everyone for their support during this difficult time, including the Urban Hotel staff, easyJet personnel, and various local businesses for their assistance in arranging Lydia's celebration of life. A funeral service is scheduled to take place at St Martin's.