Jane Whittington , 58 , died after a freak wave hit while she was enjoying a dip on holiday in Goa . A British grandmother drowned after being swept away by a freak wave during an exotic luxury holiday in India . Jane Whittington , 58 , was on a four-month break in the resort of Goa with her partner Steve Cooper when the tragedy hit . And sadly , the former carer never got to meet her newborn granddaughter , Betsy , who arrived while she was on her dream holiday . Ms Whittington , from Birley , Sheffield , and her partner , as well as her sister and brother-in-law , who were also on the trip , had been out a boat for a fishing trip before having a beach massage . She then decided to cool off with a dip in the sea with Mr Cooper , but got into difficulty and was carried out by a freak wave . Mr Cooper battled the rough conditions to rescue Ms Whittington , and tried in vain to save her . The couple were due to return home this weekend , but instead she was cremated in Goa earlier this week . Paying tribute , her family said they were devastated at the loss of Ms Whittington , who 'lived life to the full ' . Daughter Donna McGrail , 40 , son Max Ellis , 37 and five grandchildren , are now planning to return later in the year to scatter her ashes . Mr Ellis 's partner Kirstie Barber , said : 'All we know is she had a lovely day on a fishing trip , had a massage on a beach , went swimming and then a wave took her . 'Steve managed to get her out of the water but could not save her . ' The former carer never got to meet her newborn granddaughter , who arrived while she was on her four-month dream holiday with her partner Steve Cooper , sister and brother-in-law . The couple were on holiday in the same resort they had visited for years , which Ms Whittington called her 'second home ' . Ms Barber added : 'She loved it over there , she called it her second home and each time she went she stayed for longer and longer . 'Jane said that if she ever passed away over there it was a nice place to die and her wish was to stay there , which is why her ashes will be scattered there . 'Jane loved it there , she loved the easy , relaxed way of life . She felt part of the community and volunteered at a dog rescue place . ' She added : 'She lived every day like it was going to be her last . Everyone is devastated , absolutely devastated . ' The family are planning to celebrate her life at a gathering at The New Inn in Gleadless , on March 14 . Ms Whittington visited the same resort in Goa ( file photo above ) many times and called it her 'second home '
Jane Whittington was on a four-month break with partner Steve Cooper . The 58-year-old was enjoying a dip in the sea when she got into difficulty . Her partner battled the rough conditions and tried in vain to save her . He eventually managed to get her out of trouble Her devastated family are planning to return to Goa to scatter her ashes .