Alberta engineer Anna Hudson drowns in Mexico on wedding vacation

She went to Mexico for her best friend's wedding, but Anna Hudson never made it back to shore after the group went swimming on the first night of their vacation.

"We have family all around us so that's helpful, but we're devastated," Bonita Hudson, the 26-year-old'smother, told CBC News from the familyhome in Rosebud,a hamlet southwest ofDrumhellerin southern Alberta.

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Hudson had been living inFortMcMurray,where she workedas an engineer for KMC Mining.

"She was a very bright light and she had done lots of good for lots of people and it's hard to believe she won't be around anymore," her mother said.

Family were toldthe tide had been very strong on Wednesday night when Hudson, the bride and her fiancwent down to the beach near Cancun.

The pair tried to save Hudson when they saw she was being swept away, but couldn't reach her. The groom even had to be resuscitated after the rescue effort.

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The next dayemergency officials foundher body about one kilometre from where she went missing, brought in bythe tide.

2 weeks shy of 27th birthday

Family say the area where the group went into the water is known for being a difficult place to swim.

"With the beach being very steep when a wave comes in there's a horrendous rush... that tide wants to drag you out," said Don Cyr, father of Hudson's friend who was gettingmarried on the trip.

Cyr also said the resorts should do a better job communicating the tide and surf conditions.

She was a very bright light ... it's hard to believe she won't be around anymore.- Bonita Hudson, mother

She died just two weeks shy of her 27th birthday.

Kevin Thomas isone of the executive board membersat the local chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers, which representsHudson's coworkersin FortMcMurray, Alta.

"I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Hudson family as well as Anna's coworkers at KMC Mining during this most difficult time," he said in a statement.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been working with family tomake arrangements to bring Hudson'sbody home early next week.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the Canadian citizen who passed away in Cancun, Mexico.Canadian consular officials in Cancunand in Ottawa are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the family and friends," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"She loved family most of all," said Hudson's mother, who describedher daughter as easy to get along with and good at working with other people.

"She was very outgoing. She just loved people."