A former weekly newspaper columnist who was studying to become a journalist has died unexpectedly aged 23.

Tributes have been paid to Molly Pegler, who used to write a disability column for the Stroud News & Journal.

Molly, pictured, was born with hypopituitarism, a rare life-threatening hormone deficiency, and was a “passionate advocate” for disabled and chronically ill people.

She was studying an online journalism course with the British College of Journalism at the time of her death.

Her mother Rachel told the News & Journal: “Molly was one of the most amazingly talented, resilient and beautiful souls we ever could have wished for as a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a niece and granddaughter.

“Her resilience and determination throughout her life was remarkable.

“She survived without life-sustaining hormones for all of these years and sadly this resulted in her chronically ill health.

“Although Molly was poorly and spent a lot of time asleep and in pain, she also accomplished some amazing things.”

Rachel went on to note she had received “wonderful heartfelt messages from so many people”.

She added: “How someone so poorly could touch so many hearts from her chair in the living room is outstanding, it just shows what an amazing girl she was.

“Her sense of humour was hilarious and her smile infectious. We all miss her so much.”

Molly died on 24 July and an obituary was published by the News & Journal on Tuesday.

A celebration of Molly’s life will take place on Wednesday, and donations in her memory can be made to The James Hopkins Trust and The Charcot Therapy Centre.