THE family of Yvonne Woolf have paid tribute to the bingo loving great-grandmother who died of cancer earlier this month.

Yvonne, 73, was a recipient of the Adver’s Christmas Wish last year and was able to play her much loved bingo and go on a shopping spree in December.

She was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in August and passed away at her daughter’s home in Upper Stratton surrounded by close family.

The family have described how Yvonne was at her happiest when surrounded by loved ones.

“She was a grandmother to everyone and absolutely loved by everyone,” said daughter Collett Bird, 49. “She adored being around her family and would do anything for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“She loved big family get togethers. Every year we would get everyone together at her house in Highworth on the Fairford Air Show weekend and watch the planes.

“She had so many friends as well, who will all miss her.”

Yvonne was born in 1941 in Chelmsford, where she grew up. In her teens she met her first boyfriend and only love, Charlie, and the pair married in 1959.

Charlie, who died almost exactly three years ago, worked as an HGV driver which meant the couple moved to London in the early 60s and later to Swindon.

They lived in a number of places in Swindon, including Park South and Liden, before settling in Highworth.

Yvonne remained at home to raise their four children, Mark, Sharon, Collett and Paul, but once they flew the nest, she had a number of jobs, the last of which was working in the Asda petrol station in West Swindon.

She also had 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Away from her family, Yvonne’s other passion in life was bingo, which she played every week.

Kimberly Newbold, 29, her grandaughter, said: “Every week up until she was too ill to go she would play bingo. She was not really a pub-goer so I think it was her chance to get out.

“She enjoyed the social side of it and the game itself. She really enjoyed her special trip out at Christmas, and the shopping trip with it.

“All her great-grand children thought she was amazing.”

Yvonne’s funeral will take place at the Kingsdown Crematorium at 3pm next Monday (March 3). The family is asking that any donations in Yvonne’s memory can be made to Prospect Hospice via Pearce Funeral Services.