Tributes have been paid to a “lovely, happy” great-grandmother who has died at the age of 102.

Ellen Hetherington – known to her friends as Heather or Auntie Nellie – was born in New Road, Croxley Green, on March 6, 1914.

READ MORE: Spritely Ellen Hetherington celebrates 101st birthday

Her life started with tragedy as her mother died during childbirth, meaning her birthday was always a bittersweet occasion.

Ellen was brought up by her grandmother, who was a housekeeper at Rutland Lodge, and attended St Andrew’s School in St John’s Road.

She worked on the Greycaine as a young woman and then joined Her Majesty’s Stationery Office in Wealdstone.

After her daughter Barbara was born and grew up, Ellen returned to work and took a position as a dinner lady in the canteen at Orchard School, in Gammons Lane, working there for a total of 37 years before retiring at the age of 65.

According to her granddaughter Suzanne Howard, Ellen remained independent well past her 100th birthday, getting herself dressed and generally looking after herself.

Suzanne described her beloved grandmother, saying: “She was very caring, looking after her sisters, and would do anything for anyone.

“She was always happy – not a moany person at all. She was just a lovely, happy lady.”

A party was held to celebrate Ellen’s 101st birthday at Woodfields independent living scheme back in 2015.

She was a well-known and popular figure at the nearby Mecca bingo hall – one of her favourite haunts.  

“She was quite a social lady. She liked to be around people, clubs, and have coffee and a piece of cake with people,” added Suzanne.   

Ellen died on Valentine’s Day this year, just a few weeks shy of her 103rd birthday.

A funeral service will be held at 3pm on Wednesday March 8 at West Herts Crematorium on High Elms Lane. All are welcome.

If desired, donations are to be made to the Royal British Legion in Croxley Green in Ellen’s memory.