The heartbroken sisters of a beloved mum-of-six have spoken of their devastation following her sudden death at the age of just 36.

Sarah-Jane Clarke, described as free-spirited and full of warmth, died unexpectedly on April 16 after suffering a cardiac arrest at home in Folkestone.

Despite the desperate efforts of family and paramedics, she could not be revived.

She leaves behind her six children - aged 19, 17, 13, 11, eight and just 19 months - and a family devastated by her loss.

The eldest of three sisters born just 15 months apart, Sarah-Jane shared a close bond with her siblings, Chloe Clarke and Chelsea Skippen.

“We used to get called the three musketeers,” said Chloe, 33.

“That's what we used to call ourselves. We had a bond like no other.”

Chelsea, 35, added: “We also got called the triplets, because we were just inseparable.

“She was a proper big sister. She was very much a protector, because it was just me, my sisters and my dad.

“She was kind of a mum, older sister, counsellor and supporter.

“It's only ever been us four. You just never, ever think that you would go through anything like this in your life.”

Sarah-Jane’s sudden death has left the family not only grieving, but also facing an agonising wait to learn what happened, as the cause of her cardiac arrest remains undetermined.

“We're not going to know for a long time until test results come back, and that's what's hard - the not knowing,” said Chelsea.

“It's another thing that we're trying to find closure on, and we can't until we know.

“I think if someone has an illness, you kind of know they're going to pass. When it's so sudden, it's like it's the weirdest feeling. You just can't explain it to anyone.”

Amid their own heartbreak, Chloe and Chelsea have stepped in to care for four of Sarah-Jane’s children, with the remaining two being cared for by their dad.

“I think the kids have coped better than us adults,” Chloe said.

“It’s a blessing, having children when you're going through this, because you'd be in bed 24/7 otherwise.

“She loved her kids and would do anything for them – climb the highest mountain. She doted on them.”

Sarah-Jane, known for her humour and warmth, also had a large online presence, gaining more than 10,000 followers on TikTok.

Her family say she brought joy to many, both in real life and online.

“She was a laugh and a free spirit,” Chloe said.

“She was wild, but a good wild. She never had an off button - you'd always hear her before you saw her. She'd always be the first there for anyone.”

Born in Winchester, Sarah-Jane spent part of her childhood in Germany due to her father’s job in the Army, before the family settled in Folkestone in the 1990s.

She later worked for many years at the Hillside Cafe and was well known across the town.

“She was very, very well known in Folkestone and very loved,” said Chloe.

Chelsea added: “We were known as Sarah-Jane’s sisters.”

Sarah-Jane’s funeral took place at Hawkinge Crematorium on May 19.

A GoFundMe page, launched by a close friend, has helped the family cover the costs of the service, a headstone, and the ongoing care of her children.

“We're just trying to take a little bit of pressure off our dad because he’s retired,” explained Chelsea.

“We were unsure about it at first, but Sarah-Jane was always the first person to donate to any GoFundMe page. She was always the first person to help somebody.

“She would give you her last pound.”