MUM Yvonne Rees-Colemanhas paid tribute to her 'bright and popular' daughter Bethan Rosetta.
The 20-year-old's family and friends are still reeling after she was found dead at Newent Lake on Saturday.
Yvonne had been visiting her just a few hours earlier and said she is 'still in shock' over the loss.
But the 54-year-old from Barry, in Wales, said she has been 'overwhelmed' by the swell of support from people in Newent.
Yvonne said: "We had a memorial at the lake on Tuesday and I was absolutely amazed by how many people were there.
"I want to thank them all.
"So many had Bethan's character down to a tee."
The bubbly brunette grew up in Barry and Yvonne described her as 'a bit of a whirlwind'.
"She was well known for being late and for loving pink and bright clothes and eclectic earrings," she said.
"She was very outgoing and always happy and smiling and had a huge passion for horses."
It was this passion that brought Bethan to Gloucestershire in 2010 to do equestrian studies at Hartpury College.
Yvonne said she 'loved living in Newent' and had found a second family with boyfriend Stuart and his parents.
She even brought her beloved horse Skyye up to live at Lyne House Livery in the town.
Yvonne said: "She initially wanted to work with horses but she really loved the apprenticeship she was doing at Britdoors Group.
"I was really proud of her for stepping out into the working world.
"She was my girl but she was also a young professional woman."
Bethan was due to take exams in March and start on the management phase of her apprenticeship.
Yvonne said they had a close relationship and she rushed back to Newent after her daughter went missing on Friday. Her body was found at 8am by a dog walker.
Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
Her funeral will be held at Llandeilo chapel near Maenclochog in Pembrokshire but a date is yet to be set. A memorial will also be held in Newent.
