THE woman who was beheaded on the holiday isle of Tenerife was today named as grandmother-of-five Jennifer Mills-Westley from Norwich, Norfolk.
The 60-year-old was first stabbed by a 28-year-old Bulgarian man before he decapitated her after apparently selecting her at random in a small town near the resort of Los Christianos.
In a statement, her daughter Sarah describbed her as "full of life, generous of heart and would do anything for anyone".
She added that her mother had been spending her retirement travelling between Tenerife and France and visiting her other daughter in Norfolk.
Spanish media reported that the man went into a Chinese supermarket inside a shopping centre where he attacked Ms Mills-Westley.
Witnesses said he dropped her head outside after being tackled by a security guard.
"Mum retired a number of years ago and was fully enjoying her retirement travelling between Tenerife and France where she spent time visiting her daughter and grandchildren, and her other daughter in Norfolk, said her daughter Sarah ""She was full of life, generous of heart, would do anything for anyone.
"We now have to find a way of living without her love and light and we would ask at this difficult time for some privacy as we try to come to terms with our loss."
A former road safety officer at Norfolk County Council, Ms Mills-Westley had retired to Tenerife.
Spanish officials say that the man is thought to have entered the shop and stolen the knife which he then used to behead his victim in an attack which appeared to be random.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: “Our deepest sympathies go to Jenny’s family and friends following this terrible news.
“Jenny was a popular and well respected member of staff, who during her time with Norfolk County Council worked as a road safety officer — working with many schools and children to teach cycling safety training.”
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