THE heartbroken mother of 23-year-old Jolene Potter-Connolly has spoken of her family's devastating loss.

Marcia Connolly, 40, said Jolene was a precious person who lit up the lives of all she met and adored her family.

Jolene died in an incident involving a car in the car park of the Folly Hall leisure complex in Huddersfield at 2.30am last Thursday.

Three Huddersfield men - two aged 25 and a 17-year-old - have been arrested by police on suspicion of murder and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries until November 6.

Speaking at the family home in Cowlersley, Marcia, said: "Jolene was so precious - bubbly, really friendly, intelligent, outspoken, idealistic yet open-minded. She would give everyone a chance and never took people on face value.

"If she ever saw injustice she would have to challenge it. She thought such a lot of all her family and loved spending time with us."

Jolene's family in Cowlersley includes Marcia's husband, Mark, her 19-year-old sister, Tonya, and brothers 10-year-old Kyle and eight-year-old Reece.

Marcia and Jolene were so close they worked side by side on the children's section at BHS in Huddersfield and even went clubbing together.

They were having driving lessons together with the same instructor and Jolene was due to take her practical test last Friday, but had not told anyone.

Marcia added: "Jolene would pinch my shoes and clothes. People used to think we were sisters, not mum and daughter."

The family lived at Hulbert Croft in Almondbury for many years and only moved to Cowlersley last year.

Jolene attended Almondbury Junior School and moved on to Almondbury High before transferring to Honley High.

Late in her school days she realised the importance of working hard and getting qualifications and so went to Huddersfield Technical College to do an advanced GNVQ in business studies.

Marcia said: "She was ready and eager to learn and the college gave her that chance by allowing her on the course. She passed it and then went on to do business studies at Huddersfield University."

Jolene - who was just under 5ft tall - then grabbed every opportunity life had to offer.

She studied for a year in Sweden as part of the course, living with a family there and teaching English to her hosts' children.

Marcia said: "She met so many people from all over the world during her time in Sweden. We are trying to contact them to let them know what's happened."

After a year Jolene returned to Huddersfield for a short time before the chance came to study in America or Australia.

She opted for the States and went to an all-girls college called Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia.

During her time there she did voluntary work as a trainee counsellor for an organisation called The Giving Tree, a charitable adoption agency which helps youngsters with special needs or who have suffered abuse.

She also worked for a women's refuge.

It was in Atlanta she met her fiancé, website designer Jon Eichner - and Marcia revealed it was Jolene who first approached him.

"She met him in a bar and he looked a bit down so she thought she'd pester him," said Marcia.

The two fell in love and when Jolene returned to Huddersfield last summer, Jon jetted over with an engagement ring he had had specially made. He proposed to her on the steps outside the university's refectory.

Jolene's sister, Tonya, said: "I was in the bath when Jolene burst in to tell me she'd got engaged. We both screamed with excitement.

"At first they thought about marrying in the Caribbean, but then decided to have the ceremony in Las Vegas."

Jon and his brother, Mike, arrived in England early this morning after flying in to Manchester airport.

Marcia has today backed police appeals for anyone who saw the tragic events of last Thursday to come forward.

She said: "The police need to speak to everyone who was there. Even if people do not think they saw much, what they saw may be vitally important."

Choking back tears, she added: "I want to thank everyone who tried to help Jolene on the night. People have been so kind sending letters, cards and flowers. I want to thank them too."

Jolene was told she had gained an upper second class honours degree in June and was due to have received her degree at the graduation ceremony at Huddersfield University in November.

Marcia said: "She was absolutely delighted and I was so proud of her."

Jolene's days as a student left her with a loan to pay off and once more her determination and sheer willpower kicked in.

She had no fewer than four jobs on the go to pay off the debt including bar or cleaning jobs at the Head Of Steam and Albert Hotel in Huddersfield town centre along with work at Ryan's Newsagents and working in the estate agency department at the Halifax Bank in Leeds.

Marcia said: "Jolene always wanted to support herself right from an early age when she had a paper round.

"By the time she was 14 she was working as a waitress at Charlie's Café in Aspley. She was a hard worker, a real grafter who was just so determined and highly motivated."

In the past she'd worked at the former Hotshots bowling alley, behind the bar at the St Patrick's Club in Huddersfield and as a controller for a taxi firm.

"Hundreds of people in the town must have known her," said Marcia.

A new era was just around the corner for Jolene.

On September 24 she was due to fly out to America to marry Jon and start a new life together.

Those dreams ended in the most appalling tragedy.

* Det Insp Sam Cooke, of Huddersfield CID, said today: "We are still getting a good response from the public and as a result of the calls we have received so far we have been able to take 50 statements from witnesses.

"But we still feel there are more people who have yet to come forward."

The incident began as a dispute between two groups of men and ended with Jolene being dragged by a car in the car park shared by the Ethos and Visage nightclubs, Jumpin' Jaks club, Mecca Bingo and the Grosvenor Casino.

Anyone with information or saw what happened and has not yet come forward should contact Huddersfield CID on 01484 436582 or 01484 436659.

Anyone wishing to send messages to Jolene's family can send them to Huddersfield police station marked for the attention of Det Con David Tombleson.

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