A 'MUCH-LOVED' mum and devoted grandma died suddenly at her home in Barrow, an inquest has heard.

Dawn Silver, 52, was found unresponsive by Anthony Barry, her partner of six years, at home on Sowerby Street in Barrow on November 27, 2021, after he returned from work.

Mr Barry recalled in a statement read out at Cockermouth Coroner's Court that he left for work at around 7.40 am, returning home at around 6.45 pm, when he began to prepare dinner for Ms Silver and himself. 

He took the meal upstairs to Ms Silver, who he thought was asleep, but when he nudged her he immediately suspected she had died and called 999, the inquest heard,

Paramedics confirmed Ms Silver's death at 8.18 pm.

In a statement, Ms Silver's brother Alan Leech described his sister's life.

He said she was close to her family while growing up and lived a normal childhood, growing particularly close to Alan when their mother died.

She had a daughter called Kelly and married Kelly's dad Dave in 1996 before later getting divorced.

Mr Leech said Ms Silver was very family orientated.

"Dawn moved in with her dad, living not far from her daughter and granddaughters, so making it easier to help with them when she could," he said.

"She also helped Kelly look after her dad Dave when he lost his leg and had to go through rehabilitation and learning how to live and walk again. 

"Dawn looked after her own dad as he got older and became frail, until his death.

"Dawn lived a happy, comfortable life, spending a lot of time outdoors or helping others.

"She enjoyed spending time with family and would always be on hand to make a brew, your tea, or some cake."

In his statement to the court, Mr Barry said Ms Silver regularly drank to excess.

Area Coroner for Cumbria Ms Kirsty Gomersall found Ms Silver's death to be alcohol-related, with the levels found in the toxicology report deemed to be potentially fatal.

Ms Gomersall said there was no evidence of any suspicious circumstances or intent to self-harm as Ms Silver had been known to drink excessively.

Ms Gomersall also paid tribute to Ms Silver, saying she "loved being a grandmother", she "looked after family members when they were ill and needed care", and she was "very family-orientated, and always on hand for tea and cakes".