TRIBUTES have been paid to a “bubbly and caring” woman who has died suddenly at the age of 34.

Dayana Oliveira had suffered for more than a decade with a “pulmonary hypertension condition”.

She died last week.

The Brazilian-born waitress was a popular figure in the community, having worked at restaurants such as The Salt Room on Brighton seafront and, most recently, Italian independent restaurant Cin Cin in Vine Street.

David Toscana, the owner of Cin Cin, paid tribute to her.

He said: “We miss her terribly.

“She was made for hospitality. She was one of those bubbly, loving, caring people.

“She did everything she could to make sure everyone had a fantastic time.”

Dayana started at Cin Cin in April last year and was about to celebrate a year at the restaurant when she fell ill.

David said she had taken some sick days but after going to hospital with what was believed to be a chest infection, she returned to work.

By the end of the week David received a call saying she had been taken to hospital in London, where she later died.

David said that Dayana had suffered with pulmonary hypertension for more than ten years but had not told anyone apart from close family and friends.

He said: “She didn’t want to have to give up her life or burden other people.

“It wasn’t until after she died that we found out.”

Dayana’s mother Marilene and sister Jess have flown over from Brazil but her body has not yet been released from the hospital in London.

David decided to act quickly and help the family raise the money so the family can take Dayana’s body back to Brazil as soon as possible.

Marilene only speaks Portuguese so David took it upon himself to raise the money.

And he is delighted with the response.

He said: “We had £1,200 in the first 12 hours.

“She was known by so many more people than we realised. It’s nice to see how many lives she touched.”

The crowdfunder target, set up on the Just Giving website, has already reached its £6,000 target.

The money will be used to ensure Dayana’s body can be transported back to Brighton, it will pay for a cremation and memorial service, and will ensure her family can afford to fly back to Brazil with her ashes.

David said any extra money will be donated to a heart charity so it can honour Dayana by helping others.

He added: “If we can help people do more research into this condition then we will have done a bit for Dayana.”

To donate to Dayana’s Just Giving page visit www.justgiving.com and search “Dayana”.