Tributes have been paid to a “bright, creative and big-hearted” mum who took her own life.

Gemma Spurr lived in Old Town with her husband, daughter and mother after moving there from London, and worked as a finance director for a Wiltshire company in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

A statement from the 49-year-old’s partner that was read out at a recent inquest said: “I first met Gemma in October 1993.

“We went on long walks together and hit it off straight away. In three months, we moved in with each other and we married in September 1994.

“I have never met anyone so bright and creative at the same time.

“Unfortunately, her mind was her worst enemy. She was very critical of herself and could not believe how amazing she was to us.”

The rest of this article contains references to suicide that may be distressing. If you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans have a 24/7 helpline on 116 123 and offer other support measures on www.samaritans.org

Dr Sivasubramanyam Ramesh regularly saw Gemma at Chatsworth House because, the inquest heard, she had lost faith in the mental health crisis team’s ability to properly treat her issues but found him to be helpful.

Dr Ramesh gave evidence at the inquest into the circumstances of her death, speaking of how “extremely fond” Gemma was of her partner and daughter who inspired her to keep going during her lowest moments.

He added: “She was a very nice person to see, a very large-hearted and warm person, with a strong desire to protect and nurture her husband and daughter.

“Throughout her life, she was craving that feeling that she had done well, there was a hunger to succeed, [but] she felt chronic financial strain and felt obliged to do more than she could handle.

“She had a strong desire to be there for her family and yet an abject fear of facing life.

“She would say she was happy that that she was still here for the family but that did not last. As the stresses mounted up, her desire not to suffer became stronger.”

Gemma died at home at 12.25pm on March 3, 2023.

Swindon and Wiltshire Coroners Court heard that she had been struggling with a recent bereavement and worried about an upcoming work meeting as she feared she would lose her job because she was not performing to her own exceptionally high standards.

Assistant coroner Ian Singleton mentioned that her boss had not noticed anything out of the ordinary during the morning’s meeting, which Gemma attended virtually while working from home, and had been shocked to hear about what happened afterward.

At around midday, Gemma’s mother called to her from downstairs, received no response, became worried, went up to check on her, and then rang 999.

Dr Ramesh added: “She was managing her team as well as she could and was really good at what she did.

“The company was not doing as well as the people who owned it wanted it to, so she expected to lose work.

“She had an ability to find work again and again but she got tired of that cycle.”

Mr Singleton recorded a conclusion of suicide, mentioning Gemma’s history of self-harm and an impulsivity that was exacerbated at times of stress.

He and Dr Ramesh passed on their condolences to Gemma’s loved ones.