“She was a mum to everyone: caring, kind, passionate, considerate, fun-loving and immeasurably patient.”

Those are the words the family of the woman killed by a skip lorry in Watford Town Centre want her to be remembered by.

Gail Miller, 59, died during the horrific accident at 1.10pm on Monday outside Moss Brothers and Nat West.

Just one day before, on Mother's Day, she had given what would be her final sermon at Elim Pentecostal Church in St Albans Road, Watford.

In it, she spoke about how it was a “privilege to be a mother” and how we should love everyone – even our enemies.

Her husband, Guy, is the reverend of the church and she immersed herself in all aspects of the community.

The couple, of Bushey Mill Lane, were married for nearly 40 years and their tight union produced six children and ten grandchildren.

She had worked at the Disney Store at intu Watford for 20 years – a job she adored – and Mickey Mouse was her guilty pleasure.

But still, she was relentless in her commitment to volunteering.

She ran a foodbank drive, was part of the Sunday school, worked on homeless projects and helped out with a number of clubs.

“She always gave people the benefit of the doubt,” daughter, Rachel, 24, told the Watford Observer.

“She was funny but didn’t mean to be. She was consistent. She would talk to everyone. And she had the softest hands.

“She was terrible with technology – if she had a new phone she’d say she knew how to use it in 10 minutes, but 20 minutes later you’d realise it wasn’t even turned on.

“She would spoil her grandchildren and give them sweets. She encouraged them too and helped them excel at school.

“She lived for her family but she was a mum to everyone, not just her children.”

Although their grief is unmistakable, her family find comfort in cracking jokes and reminiscing about happier times.

Her widower, Guy, said: “She had a loving, trusting nature. She made a positive impact on so many people.

“She always wanted to be a homemaker and raise children.

“Her belief in God gave her the ability to love the unlovable. Everyone had a nice thing to say about her. She always had time for people.”

The couple met when they were teenagers as Guy was friends with her brother, Sam.

“The first time I saw her she was wearing a blue tweed dressing gown,” he recalls. “She had blonde hair and I was riveted.

“Before we were married, we used to go dancing.”

Guy was a keen sidecar racer – something which Gail was always supportive of – if a little nervous to think of him taking part in such a dangerous sport.

Much to her relief, he gave up when their second son was born in the 1970s.

After her children had grown up she decided to go back to college and study an NVQ in English, maths and science.

She was due to start another course in English at West Herts College this September.

And she had big dreams of visiting Australia to see the hometown of her favourite television show, Neighbours.

Her son, Guy, said: “I remember her once telling me and my brothers off and telling us we couldn’t go out to play football – only she said ‘bootfull’ because she got her words jumbled.

“I have only fond memories of my mum. She was the real glue of the family, would give us weekly phone calls to check how we are.

"She was proud of us. You couldn’t find a more caring mother.”

The family take comfort in knowing they spent her final day celebrating Mother’s Day together.

Her young grandaughter takes comfort in one of her final memories of her grandmother: the way she helped her hide her own mother's Mother's Day present.

“We went out for lunch, went shopping and relaxed,” said Rachel. "But because my daughter made me breakfast in bed, I forgot to make her breakfast in bed. I had to butter a quick slice of toast for her as I got ready myself.

“The last text she sent me was telling me what a great mother I am.”

Guy added: “The last time I saw Gail she was getting ready to leave the house, she was at the door and stopped. She turned back and said ‘have a good day.’”

He added: “All condolence messages we’ve had have helped – my phone hasn’t stopped. We are so grateful for them. She really was loved by everyone.”

Gail leaves behind her six children, Warren, Guy, Simon, Darren, Gemma and Rachel.