TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved great-grandmother who has died at the age of 99.

Ella Weston died at St Fillans Care Home in Colchester following a battle with dementia.

Born in Northern Ireland in 1921, Ella came over the England with sister Greta to work at a hotel in Norfolk.

It was at Sheringham’s St Joseph’s Church she met husband, Bill, who was on leave from the Army.

The couple fell in love and after marrying in 1948 moved to Colchester.

Bill was a ward master in the Royal Army Medical Corps and worked at Colchester Military Hospital

Their family grew at their Shrub End Road home, where children John, Tom and Mary were born.

They soon moved to Rayner Road where the family lived for many happy years.

Tom said: “We knew we had a blessed life growing up. Mum was our queen, the family home was open house to family and friends, so many happy stories and positive experiences facilitated with mum and dad.”

Over the years Ella’s family grew quickly, with seven grandchildren on the scene and great-grandchildren later arriving.

Chelmsford Weekly News: Beloved - great-grandmother Ella Weston lived in Colchester for more than 70 yearsBeloved - great-grandmother Ella Weston lived in Colchester for more than 70 years

As well as a devoted family woman, she was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, a church cleaner and organised a garden fete for her church every year.

Tom said: “Mum was everything to me, from holding my hand walking to school, to preparing my favourite meal of sausage chips and beans when I would arrive home on leave on my motorbike from the RAF, cold and ravenous on a Friday night.

“In later years Mum had the resilience of a lion, nothing fazed her - getting knocked over by a motorbike, having a huge splinter embedded in her thigh, a few falls or fractured hip.

“She dusted herself down, onwards and upwards. Nothing was going to prevent here from spending time with her family loved ones.”

He added: “Sons, please make the time to write a love letter to your mother, tell her how you feel about her.

“A letter can remain with her, whenever she feels low or lonely, it is on hand to sustain she is loved.”

Ella’s family are collecting donations for the Alzheimer’s society.

Visit ella-weston1.muchloved.com.