Tributes to the Queen Mother have poured in to BBC News Online and memorial websites, as people from all over the world mourn her passing.

More than 7,500 e-mails have been received by News Online from countries as far flung as Australia, Venezuela, Lebanon, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Taiwan and Barbados.

It's a rare gift to be able to bring a planet of people who are different and yet not so different together, if only for a moment

Melissa Mitchell

Another 30,000 people sent their condolences to an official memorial website set up by Buckingham Palace, which invites visitors to share their thoughts and memories of the Queen Mother.

Dr Charles Shaw, the co-ordinator of Oldham Queens Jubilee Committee, told BBC News Online the Queen Mother had been a role model.

"The contribution of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother is the most effective example of duty and citizenship with spirit, joy and loyalty to subjects and a powerful example for young and old to emulate," he wrote.

'Great loss'

But while many talked of the Queen Mother's symbolic importance, others described a more personal sense of sadness in e-mails to News Online.

"As an old soldier and wartime fire-fighter, I feel a great loss," wrote Derek Reynolds, from Canada. "A large chunk of my life has disappeared with this dear lady's death. She will long be remembered and revered."

One American reader said the e-mail deluge spoke for itself.

The Queen Mother was hailed as 'an example' for all to emulate

"As I read through the tributes to the Queen Mother, I was struck by the thought that in such uncertain times as these, ordinary people from all over the world were taking time from their daily lives to connect and share their sadness," Melissa Mitchell wrote.

"It's a rare gift to be able to bring a planet of people who are different and yet not so different together, if only for a moment. I think the Queen Mother would have liked that."