Sarah Silverman has paid tribute to her mother on the first anniversary of her death.

She tweeted a picture of them together and wrote: "A year ago today my mom left her human shell. So many times I went to call her this year, forgetting."

Sarah was extremely close to Beth Ann and praised her "know-it-all" parent's outlook on life after her death last year.

She tweeted: "She was a know-it-all in overalls & two different colored socks. And defiantly, no bra.

"The woman who, when I was little, gave me detailed directions to a restaurant ladies room then secretly watched as I found my way to it on my own.

"The woman who went back to college at 42, and skinny dipped in ponds, and told me never to protect myself from a broken heart because it was so very worth the pain to get to experience love."

Sarah also publicly praised her mother - a producer and director known as 'mom' to a number of aspiring actors - when presenting her with a lifetime achievement award at the New Hampshire Theater Awards in 2003.

She said at the ceremony: "[She is] loving, nurturing, caring, colourful - she used to wear two different colour socks, I'm not sure she was aware of that - supportive, honest, strong and with endless creativity and energy.

"She gives us the feeling that we fill her heart with love and I think it's because we fill her heart with love. Mom ... we feel the same. you fill our hearts, as well."