Mother, 52, who was killed in Grenfell Tower fire with her artist daughter is described as 'one of a kind' by her devastated family as inquest is opened into her tragic death
- Mary Mendy described as a 'beloved sister' and an 'amazing friend' in statement
- Ms Mendy lived on 20th floor of Grenfell Tower with artist daughter Khadija Saye
- Seventy nine people confirmed dead after horrific fire at Kensington tower block
Mary Mendy lived on the 20th floor of Grenfell Tower with her daughter Khadija Saye (pictured, during Khadija's Holy Communiun service)
A mother killed in the Grenfell Tower fire has been described as 'one of a kind' by her devastated family.
Mary Mendy, 52, lived on the 20th floor of the Kensington residential block with her artist daughter Khadija Saye.
Inquests opened on Monday, at Westminster Coroner's Court, heard that the provisional cause of their deaths was 'fire fumes'.
The hearing was told how Ms Mendy was found on the 13th floor of Grenfell Tower while her daughter was found in the hallway of the ninth.
In a touching statement Ms Mendy's sister Betty Jackson described her as an 'amazing friend'.
It said: 'My beloved sister, words can never describe the pain of losing you.
'I can't believe you are gone. You were a wonderful sister, an incredible aunt, the best mother any child could have wished for.
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'You were an amazing friend to all those who knew you. Your heart was pure, your soul was one of a kind.
'You will be missed for a life time. You will remain forever in our hearts. you and your beautiful daughter Khadija Saye.
'From your sister, brothers, nieces and nephews.'
Miss Saye, hailed as a 'wonderful young woman' by Tottenham MP David Lammy, was a successful artist with work recently on show at the prestigious Venice Biennale.
Ms Mendy's daughter, Khadija, was a successful artist with work recently on show at the prestigious Venice Biennale. Left, Ms Saye and right, Ms Mendy
She used her Grenfell flat as her studio and was said to be on the verge of recognition, after being spotted by art gallery director Andrew Nairne who praised her work as 'remarkable, powerful and original'.
Seventy nine people have been confirmed dead from the Grenfell fire, but it is believed that the death toll could rise into the hundreds with many residents still unaccounted for.
The devastating blaze ripped through the building in west London, during the early hours of June 14.
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