Ellen May ‘Nellie’ Hyde, who lived in North Wiltshire all her life, died on July 23, aged 90.

She was born in Swindon on January 11 1920, and attended primary and secondary school in the town.

Before marriage, Mrs Hyde worked at Harris’s sausage factory in Calne and also spent some time living with her sister in the small village of New Zealand, close to what was to become her home in Goatacre.

She met her husband George in New Zealand and they married on March 23 1940, moving to their new home in Goatacre together.

The couple had three sons: David, born in 1942 who lives in north Wiltshire; John, born in 1946 who also lives in north Wiltshire and Norman, born in 1950 who now lives in Wales.

Mrs Hyde also became a loving grandmother to seven grandsons between the ages of 27 and 40 and great-grandmother to six great-grandchildren.

Glenis Hyde, the wife of her son David, paid a tribute to her mother-in-law whom she described as “very popular and well-loved”.

In her younger days, Mrs Hyde had been very active within her local community, helping with many of the social events at Goatacre Village Hall.

The love of her life was her husband, who was known throughout the area as Mr Steam because of his involvement in steam rallies.

After his death she had poured her love into her treasured Yorkshire terrier, which is now being looked after in a lovely dog-friendly home.

Mrs Hyde’s funeral took place on Tuesday at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington.

Glenis Hyde said: “It was a wonderful send-off.

“We were very touched to see her gardener, her cleaner and even the woman from the local Post Office there.

“It shows that even at the age of 90 she was still very popular and well-loved.”

Donations if desired in memory of Mrs Hyde’s are for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal care of Tony Warren Funeral Service, 15 Bank Street, Melksham, SN12 6LE, call (01249) 811333.