Valerie Hoare, 79, from East End Lane, Ditchling, died in a car crash in South Chailey on May 6 when the Suzuki Vitari she was driving collided with a white van.

The accident happened just a year after her husband Michael, 81, was killed in a road accident in Hassocks in April 2007.

She had lived in Ditchling for more than 50 years and loved village life.

Mrs Hoare moved to the village in 1955 after running a tea plantation in India with husand, a captain in the Coldstream Guards.

Her son Jonathan told the Express: 'She loved life, she loved people and she loved Ditchling.

'She regarded the whole village as her family and was involved in a number of village initiatives and activities, especially the cricket and the Church.

'It was largely thanks to her and her husbands' efforts that the Village Green was not sold for development.'

Mrs Hoare worked as a physiotherapist.

Her daughter Melanie said: 'She loved riding, tennis and was the life and soul of parties for miles around, but was never happier than when helping or healing.

'She was working as a part-time physio until the time of her tragic death.

'Many of her friends came round for treatment or she went to them, often with a gift of rock-hard pastries or cake.

'It's fair to say she cooked with gusto rather than skill, sausages and French loaves were often incarcerated for days in her beloved Aga!'

Mrs Hoare was a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion and number of other charities.

She is survived by three sons, two daughters, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She will be buried by her husband Michael in the graveyard by Ditchling Cricket ground.

Friends are welcome to the service which starts at noon on May 22 at St Margarets Church, Ditchling.

Mrs Hoare left strict instructions her funeral should be 'full of happy music, bright clothing and a riot of flowers'.