A FAMILY have paid tribute to their kind-hearted mum, who fostered more than 50 children, after she died suddenly at home.

Ross Chisholm described his mum Hazel Chisholm as “a really optimistic and uplifting person”.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ross said: “It was really sudden and unexpected.

“We have yet to have anything confirmed but we think it was some kind of heart attack or cardiac problem in her sleep, as advised by doctors.

“She went up to bed one night and did not wake up – it was really unexpected.”

Hazel, who died on March 25 aged 58, was buried at Binning Wood, between Tyninghame and Whitekirk, last Monday.

Only nine members of immediate family were able to attend the service, with the family keen to have a larger celebration of her life when coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted.

Hazel, who was married to husband Iain, also had a daughter, Rosie, 26.

Ross said: “My mum was a foster carer.

“She fostered usually brothers and sisters, usually two kids at a time, and she did that for more than 20 years.

“My dad was trying to count up the amount of kids that came through here.

“It was mainly long-term and I think it is more than 50 children who had stayed with us.

“Some for a day or two, some for weeks, but mainly a year at a time or longer.”

Hazel previously worked as a social worker and a photographer.

Recently, she donated her old cameras and equipment to the John Gray Centre museum in Haddington.

The mum-of-two had also been looking forward to Ross and fiancée Lisa getting married.

The couple were due to tie the knot at Edinburgh’s George Hotel next Saturday (April 25) but the big day has been temporarily postponed due to the global pandemic.

Hazel, of Abbots View, had been shopping for dresses with Rosie and future daughter-in-law Lisa, and had also been due to go on the hen do, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Even then, Ross, who previously played rugby with Haddington RFC, told the Courier his mum had tried to look on the bright side.

They are devastated that Hazel will not be able to celebrate their day when the time comes.

The quantity surveyor, who lives in Edinburgh but has moved back home to be with his dad, said: “My mum was a really optimistic, uplifting person to be around.

“She was just fun, bubbly and loved the outdoors.

“She did not have anything bad to say about anybody.

“She was caring and, obviously, given she was a foster carer, she had a big heart.”

Provost John McMillan, who lives in Haddington, offered his condolences.

The Haddington and Lammermuir ward councillor said: “I knew Hazel through community things and it is very, very sad.

“I know she was a strong carer and foster mother and it is just very, very sad news.”