Shock as Denbighshire mum-of-two dies on holiday in Cuba

Tributes have been paid to a vivacious mother-of-two from North Wales who died while holidaying in Cuba.

Game shoot host Alison Watkins Davies, 51, of St Asaph , is believed to have suffered a heart attack on the Caribbean island.

With husband Selwyn “Sel” Davies, she ran the 6,060-acre Coed Coch Shoot at Dolwen, Abergele.

In Cuba they had met up with a group of friends from St Asaph before continuing the holiday as a couple.

Just hours before her death she posted pictures of a group meal on Facebook.

Mr Davies is due to fly back to the UK tomorrow but arrangements for repatriating his wife’s body have yet to be finalised.

Alison organised shooting days and was highly regarded by her pheasant and duck shooting clients.

Friends, relatives and colleagues quickly took to social media to pay tribute.

Bill Telford, who organises shooting days for clients at Coed Coch, said Alison was one of the “kindest, gentlest, funniest, warm-hearted ladies” he had ever met.

As an event organiser, she always ensured the occasions ran smoothly for shooting guests, he said.

“She was kindness personified,” said Mr Telford.

“Alison was always very professional and it will be a very different shoot without her.

“The news took us by complete surprise. It was a big shock and we were extremely saddened by it. She will be sorely missed.”

‘We’re not sure what happened’

Mum to Beth, 21, and Tom, 18, Alison has a brother, Neil, who runs a commercial vehicle business in Denbigh that was established by their late father Frank.

While there is speculation Alison was bitten by insects shortly before her death, Neil said it was too early to jump to conclusions.

“We’re not 100% sure what happened, except that she suffered a suspected heart attack,” he said.

He added: “Alison was who was not previously involved in the shooting scene so it was a big step for her.

“But she is a very sociable person and she quickly developed a new set of friends. She held everything together at the shooting days she hosted.”

Family business acquaintance Maldwyn Williams, who runs a garage in Denbigh , said the news had come as a terrible shock for the whole community.

“I was very saddened,” he said. “She was absolutely lovely and I can’t believe this has happened.

“I knew her father and I think he also died when he was abroad.”

‘This is such ghastly news’

Alison married Selwyn in 2012 and shortly afterwards they began working at the Coed Coch estate.

Selwyn was the shoot’s captain while Alison – who previously ran a child-minding business – took on the role of shoot host.

Estate owner Harry Fetherstonhaugh , the Lord Lieutenant for Clwyd, said the pair had established an excellent working relationship.

He said: “Alison and Selwyn have been with us for four or five years and it’s been a marvellous arrangement, they’ve been absolutely fantastic.

“They’ve both done a wonderful job and Alison was always such a pleasure to deal with.

“This is such ghastly news, dreadful really.”