Tributes have been paid to a great-grandmother and wife of a former boxer who has died at the age of 86.

Pauline Buxton and her husband Allan enjoyed 66 years of happy marriage, the majority of those spent at their Ashridge Drive home in Bricket Wood.

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Sadly Pauline suffered a stroke ten years ago and as a result developed vascular dementia some years later.

Allan nursed Pauline at home for as long as possible before her need for full-time professional care led her to move into Prince Michael of Kent Court in Garston, where she lived until her death on November 26.

“She was so well-loved in there by her carers. She was a bit of a character, she loved dancing, wiggling her hips and flirting with the carers,” said daughter Lynn Simmons.

Pauline, née Crawley, was born in Hemel Hempstead in 1930 before moving with her family to Kingswood as a young girl.

She met Allan Buxton when she was 15 but an uncle objected to their relationship because of his race. By chance they met again a few years later and were able to rekindle their union, marrying in 1950 when she was 20.

The couple enjoyed 66 years of “wonderful” marriage together, said their daughter.

Allan, a former professional boxer who along with his three brothers appeared turned professional and appeared on the bill together at Watford Town Hall, with all four brothers winning their bouts.

The pair raised money for Mencop – the police’ disability charity – over the years, riding a Christmas sleigh through town dressed as the Snow Queen and Buttons, and singing outside the Asda supermarket for donations.

“They were so devoted and so happy together,” added Lynn.

Allan’s father was originally from Antigua so the two visited the Caribbean island in 2003 to renew their wedding vows.

Mother to Lynn and Allan Jnr, grandmother to Stephen, Ashley and Debbie, and great-grandmother to Georgia and Margot.

Pauline’s funeral is taking place at West Herts Crematorium, Garston, on Monday December 12 at 2pm.

Any donations in Pauline’s memory can be paid to Prince Michael of Kent Care Home on Stratford Road, made payable PMOKC RMBI Amenity Fund.