The sons of a woman who was found dead on Wimbledon Common have paid tribute to their “really colourful, vibrant” mother who dedicated her life to helping others.

Marianne Zeck, 61, was pronounced dead in Camp Road, Wimbledon Common at 11.30am on Saturday, April 23.

Ms Zeck, who lived in Raynes Park, had been reported missing to Wandsworth Police by her sons’ father on Friday, after disappearing from his Parkside home.

April 25: Woman found dead on Wimbledon Common was reported as a missing person to Wandsworth police the day before

Wandsworth Times:

Ms Zeck was found in Wimbledon Common on Saturday

Her death is being treated as unexplained, but is not believed to be suspicious.

A youth worker and complementary therapist, Ms Zeck spent years volunteering at both the Smart Centre in Morden and St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in central London.

April 26: "A beautiful, loving and extremely giving person" - tributes paid to missing woman Marianne Zeck found dead on Wimbledon Common

Her son Jason Lau, 24, flew back from his home in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as soon as he heard the news.

He said: “She was all about supporting and helping other people. She did so much for the community and the local people.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of young guys and girls who will be shocked and saddened. She worked with the kind of kids who got kicked out of school. She was always standing by them.

Wandsworth Times:

“They would act out and she would get them on their own and massage their hands, and they would be all tight with anger and tension, and then she would get them to open up.

"She knew they were really just the softest kids with troubles, and she got to see that side of them. She was exposing the real raw core of these kids that they would never share with anyone else.

“She did a lot of interfaith work as well. She wanted people to keep on doing her work, and not be so serious all the time.

“Everyone who knows her and supported her just knows how giving she was. That’s what shocked everyone about this situation.”

He added: “Ultimately she just gave away too much from herself. She focused too much on helping other people and trying to make them happy, and worrying about other people too much, and didn’t focus on making herself happy.

Wandsworth Times:

Ms Zeck at the launch of her charity 'Graffiti Angel' in 2005, which aimed to help teenagers relax through yoga

“She did struggle in her later life. She had very big internal battles. I’m glad she’s at peace now, in a way.”

Ms Zeck’s eldest son, Marco Lau, 28, also paid tribute to his mother.

He said: “She was a really colourful, vibrant woman with good intentions, good wishes. She did whatever she could to help people. She had her own troubles, but in terms of what she did it was all about community support.

“The overwhelming message is that when she was well, which is how we really want her to be remembered, she dedicated her life to helping everyone.

“She was just a giver. She would just give and give and give.”

The Mind charity promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Its helpline number is 03001 233 393.

To get in touch with the Samaritans day or night call 116 123, text 07725 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org.