The co-founder of the Bermuda Heart Foundation lost her battle with cancer on Saturday.

Ramona Anderson, 44, left behind friends and family who praised her vibrant character.

"She was one of the best people I ever knew," said Marsha DuBois, a friend of Ms Anderson's since she was five.

Ms Anderson did freelance advertising and worked for many organisations, including the United Bermuda Party.

"Her Aunt Betty used to put her in the Easter Parade and she used to push a bike with flowers in it. I will always remember that," Ms DuBois said.

Ms DuBois described her as "a friend she could always count on for good advice".

"She was a light that went out too soon.

"After she came back from Johns Hopkins Hospital they told us and her family that there was nothing they could do."

Ms Anderson was Devonshire branch chairman for the UBP and was heavily involved with organising fundraisers and special events for the party.

Opposition Whip John Barritt said: "Ramona was my right-hand person.

"She was my campaign manager from the start when I got involved in politics back in 1990."

She later became Shadow Health Minister Michael Dunkley's campaign manager in 1996, said Mr. Barritt.

"She generously gave of her talents to Michael and I as well as the UBP.

"She loved to organise events in Devonshire and major ones for the UBP. She was a good artist and could draw freely.

"Having only been with us a relatively short time she has lived fully."

A former co-worker and friend of Ms Anderson's, Gail Simpson, said: "She was very generous and always gave from her heart.

"Ramona, Marsha, and I were all pregnant at the same time ? we went fishing and picnicking together."

Ms Simpson described Ms Anderson as "dedicated" and "humble".

"The whole time she had the illness ? she was always up and up and never let you know how sick she was."

Ms Anderson co founded the Heart Foundation with Dr. Shane Marshall, the chief of medicine at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and director of cardiac care.

"I would doubt that many patients knew about Ramona. She was a big part of why we are so ahead of the game with cardiology. She played a significant part in making life saving equipment available in Bermuda.

Dr. Marshall had known Ms Anderson since they were children.

"She is irreplaceable."

He described how she would fill in wherever someone was need in the Heart Foundation.

"Ramona was the powerhouse behind fundraising. We used to say Ramona would do 90 percent of the fund raising and the remaining ten percent was done by us but she told us what to do.

"She provided direction and know how to get things done."

Kim Burns, owner of The Athletic Club, met Ms Anderson during a fundraiser for the Bermuda Heart Foundation.

"We became friends after doing the Bermuda's largest aerobics class together about ten years ago. It was a fundraiser for the Heart Foundation.

"She was a very vital person ... full of life type of person. We are going to truly miss her. The Heart Foundation will be at a great loss."

Ms Anderson is survived by her husband Roger Anderson and son Alexander.