Tracy Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan aged 13, and Joshua, 11, along with her partner’s 11 year old daughter Aimee Goldsmith were killed as they returned from a camping trip.
Mrs Houghton’s partner Mark Goldsmith witnessed the horrific crash and suffered whiplash and a broken rib as he drove his own Vauxhall car with his 13-year-old son Jake as a passenger.
A spokeswoman for Central Bedfordshire Council, where Ms Houghton worked, said: “This terrible news has come as a great shock to everyone who knew Tracy, who worked within our financial services team based in Dunstable.
“Tracy worked directly with our customers and was a dedicated and highly professional member of staff.”
Her team leader, Gary Muskett, said: “Tracy was a hugely likeable and bubbly person who was much admired by her colleagues, many of whom saw her also as a dear friend.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with her family.”
Ethan was a member of the Dunstable U14s team and went to All Saints Academy.
On social media Jill Bryden said: “Oh god, feeling shocked lovely Tracy RIP. Only saw her last week was going on holiday . Thoughts with her family bless you and your children my lovely xx”