THE husband of a pensioner who died in a collision with a motorbike has told of the "remarkable" woman he has lost.

Peter Booker told the Ealing Times how his wife Anna, who would have turned 84 this month, was a unique person who refused to accept growing old meant slowing down.

And as her funeral approaches next week Peter, 83, is asking the people who knew her to remember the wonderful life she led.

"When I found out it sledge-hammered me," said Peter. "We got on so well.

"We used to wake up next to each other in the morning and just cuddle up and feel comfortable.

"She was a very special woman. Though she looked quite small she had a big personality.

"She would do things while other people would just think about doing them. She said if you ever stop moving you just become decrepit"

Mother-of two and grandmother Anna was knocked down as she visited an elderly friend.

Peter said: "She always wanted to do thing for elderly people - that was the type of woman she was. She would find them and make friends with them.

"As they got less and less mobile she would go over to see them and take them things like books."

After the accident, Anna, of Old Oak Lane, East Acton, was rushed to Charing Cross Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A post mortem confirmed she died from multiple injuries.

The 60-year-old motorcyclist also suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Italian-born Anna moved to England after the Second World War, which she spent in Pisa. During the war years she saw young people being shot down by Nazi troops but also had her life saved twice through the kindness of Germans.

Peter met Anna when she managed a local butcher shop and after his previous wife passed away they grew closer.

He said: "After a while she told me I should go round and see her. One time I went round and her daughters were there - little did I know they were there to size me up."

Anna struggled with her health - including heart surgery, minor strokes and broken bones but Peter told how she always fought through.

She was a regular at St Peter's Church afternoon club and a large number of church members are expected at her funeral on Monday.

Peter says the funeral is open to anyone who wants to come and celebrate Anna's life. It will take place at 4pm at the Mortlake Crematorium at Kew Meadow Path, Richmond, on Monday.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Alperton Traffic Garage on 020 8998 5319.