A five-year-old girl died after a burst balloon became lodged in her throat.
Lily Breen's mother, registered nurse Angela, tried to resuscitate the youngster after finding her lifeless body in a bedroom, but it is thought the little girl died instantly.
Lily, from Desborough, Northants, was autistic and liked touching and tasting things, said relatives on Saturday
It is thought she bit into the inflated balloon and swallowed it when it burst.
Her father, Ian, 37, told the Northants Evening Telegraph: "Angela fought to save her but it was too late.
"Doctors said it was likely that she died instantaneously - thank God she didn't suffer. She was our special girl and I feel lost without her. To lose someone like that is awful."
Lily had three brothers, Aarron, Liam and 11-year-old Aidan, who was at home when his sister died.
The family have now returned home after staying with relatives since last week's tragedy.
Mr Breen's sister, Mary Marshall, has travelled from Canada to give her support. "They are just trying to take everything one day at a time," she said.
Disney songs will be played at Lily's funeral, which will take place in Kettering on Monday. Her school, Kingsley School in Kettering, plans to plant a garden of lilies in her memory.
