Woman, 26, dies suddenly in front of family ‘while playing cards after dinner at home’ as heartbroken pals pay tribute

A WOMAN died suddenly in front of her family while playing cards after dinner.

Dani Duchatel, 26, went into cardiac arrest and collapsed at her parents' home on Sunday night.

She had been staying there while recovering from surgery for a broken leg several weeks earlier.

Dani's mum Kay desperately performed CPR but she could not be saved.

Doctors believe a blood clot from the operation on her leg travelled to her lung, causing a pulmonary embolism - or blocked artery.

Dani's aunt Sharon Glover described her niece as her "darling girl".

She said alongside a photo of the two of them: "Of all the many blessings I've had in this world, the greatest one was the honour of being your aunt.

"The tears on my face I can wipe away but the ache in my heart will last forever.

"Fly high my darling girl. Love you always."

Dani, from Brisbane, Australia, had just bought a house in Albion and said she was "so excited and nervous to start this new chapter".

She had also recently adopted a new kitten, which she "adored".

Close friend Chantelle Lay, who started a to pay for the funeral, told The Courier Mail: "She was a big animal lover.

"She was also the kind of person who would do anything to help anyone and was very loving and supportive of everyone."

She said Dani, who she had known for 10 years, was "quiet but vibrant" and a "gentle soul".

Another pal, Janis Michel, posted on Instagram: "Your love and kindness was so pure and being around you made me want to be a better person.

"The time spent with you have been some of my happiest moments of my life, from falling asleep on the sofas watching Friends to fighting off frogs in the rainforest.

"I cherish it all and will forever remember our amazing memories and time together.

"I love you my sweet angel. Rest easy, and I will see you again.