A loving and popular woman who devoted much of her time to the Bushey community has died aged 85.

Dorothy Beatrice Ayres passed away peacefully at Prince Michael of Kent Court care home, on April 2, following a recent illness.

A well known local businesswoman, Dorothy was president of the former Bushey and Oxhey Inner Wheel Club and held the post of club secretary twice.

The years she committed to the Inner Wheel, which ran various community events, are described by her family as "the happiest time of her life".

She will be remembered not only for her dedication to the community but as a partner of the family company Bushey Hall Garage.

Taking over the property in Bushey Hall Drive in 1967, Dorothy and her husband Gerald developed the site into a leading independent repair centre.

The business remains in the family, run by her son Roger and wife Dawn, and their children Jenny, Jonathan and Matthew.

Dorothy and Gerald were keen members of the Rotary International Caravan Fellowship.

Born in Paddington in 1926, during the Great Depression, her parents worked away from home, so Dorothy spent much of her childhood with cousins in Yorkshire .

Before settling in Bushey, a colourful life included a lucky escape while travelling on a train which was attacked by the Luftwaffe.

Following a spell with Rowley Pemberton & Co accountants, her caring nature led to work as a Red Cross nurse.

During this time she worked treating injured fighter pilots, from RAF Northolt, who had suffered burn injuries.

In 1947 she moved to Fincham and met her husband, known as Gerry, himself a former Bushey and Oxhey Rotarian.

Their first meeting at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit was particularly fitting with Gerry being a motorcycle scrambler and speedway enthusiast.

They went on to have two children, Roger and Robert, who Dorothy leaves behind with daughter-in-laws Dawn and Jane and six grandchildren.

Following Gerry's death, Dorothy retired from the family firm in 1995 and travelled extensively before her health began to deteriorate.

The funeral took place today at West Herts Crematorium, Garston at 4pm.