Tributes paid to ‘beautiful daughter’ she died in her sleep | UK | News
A 32-year-old woman tragically died in her sleep while staying at the hotel. Lydia Williams, originally from Wales, was remembered as someone who would “never lose her sparkle” as her mother poured in heartfelt tributes.
Friends and family fondly remembered his mischievous wit, brave personality and remarkable ability to lift spirits in the darkest of times. Lydia had lived in the United States for seven years with her husband, Ed, and her two beloved sphinx cats, El Blanco and Zorro. Devastated friends said: “He was the best friend anyone could ever have.”
Despite being thousands of miles away from her homeland, Lydia was deeply proud of her Welsh roots. “He would play Dafydd Iwan’s song Yma o Hyd over and over again,” Ed recalled.
“It made him feel passionate about Wales.”
‘He gave his all’
Lydia had a successful career in marketing, promotions, and wedding coordination; Pulse has collaborated with companies such as Mocka Lounge and Elizabeth Arden, as well as numerous wedding venues.
He was recently in New Hampshire, balancing promotional responsibilities while mentoring disadvantaged youth through a “buddy” program.
“He gave 100% to everything he did,” his mother said. “I always reminded my beautiful daughter that no matter what you do, never lose your sparkle. Sometimes that meant picking herself up and dusting herself off (as we all must from time to time), but Lydia kept going and made sure the girls supported and lifted each other up. She wanted everyone to shine, too.”
She loved traveling the world with her husband, sharing her passion for African art, tasting regional cuisine, and embracing every opportunity life had to offer. Tributes poured in for Lydia from around the world, from friends, colleagues and even chance acquaintances.
“I was inundated with messages,” her mother shared. “People wrote to me that they met Lydia by chance – on the train or in a queue – and from that moment on she became a part of their lives. Even if she never met them face to face, she gave people strength and solace in their darkest times.”
Death of Urban Hotel
Those who knew Lydia described her as naturally funny, with an “outside the box” sense of humor, a deep empathy for others, and a sparkling personality that could brighten up any room.
“He saw life as a great adventure. He was creative as a child, and as an adult he continued his love of learning about new cultures, foods, and wines by traveling with Ed and his friends. His love for him filled us with pride.”
Lydia passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Urban Hotel in Madrid; staff have promised to display a portrait of him at the venue as a permanent memento.
Her mother revealed Lydia was: “Happy and excited to be home for Welsh Christmas.”
‘Follow your dreams’
Ed said: “Marrying Lydia was and always will be the biggest decision of my life. Although our years together ended too soon, we filled those years traveling the world with enough memories to last a lifetime. She was the most incredible person I have ever met and I will always love her with all my heart.”
Her mother added: “If there’s anything we can learn from Lydia, it’s to follow your dreams, live life to the fullest, hold on to those you love and be kind to others. She believed in the importance of treating everyone equally and developing people. We need more Lydias in this world. Life is short; live, love, laugh and be happy.”
The family expressed their sincere gratitude to all those who showed compassion at this difficult time for their help in organizing Lydia’s celebration of life, including the Urban Hotel in Madrid, the easyJet team on the return journey, Cardiff County Club and Mocka Lounge.
Lydia’s funeral is scheduled to take place at St Martin’s Church in Caerphilly on Thursday, November 13, and guests are asked to dress stylishly to celebrate her life with the songs she loved.
