AN ITALIAN born grandmother for whom Marlow became home for half a century has been described as immensely unselfish and warm hearted in a moving tribute by her son.

Bianca Taylor, of Marlow Bottom Road, died aged 79 on February 5 after an asthma attack.

The mother-of-three and gran of two took England to her heart after moving aged 17 from Gorizia, north Italy, and loved the British Royal family.

Her son Colin, 46, from Marlow, said: "She was a very well liked person. She was a very happy, helpful kind of person who would do everything for everyone she was thinking always of other people and unselfish.

"She was the sort of person who'd be friendly to anybody and everyone, she'd always be there.

"She was such a warm hearted person and we adore her. She'll be sadly missed and it's going to leave a void in our lives.

"My mother's wishes would have been for people to go with a warm glow in their heart when they think about her."

Mrs Taylor was known in the valley for being a keen cyclist and was often spotted out on her bike.

She worked part time for 30 years at the old Pegasus pub in Marlow Bottom.

Colin said: "She was also a very big fan of the royal family and enjoyed studying their history.

"She was their at the Queen's coronation 1952 and she saw the Queen and she was thrilled to bits at the time."

She moved to England in 1950 after securing a job at Eton college where she worked for years cleaning silver and serving the boys.

Colin said: "She met many famous people film stars, lords, politicians, there.

"They were school boys at the time who went on to become celebrities."

Despite loving her new homeland Mrs Taylor frequently went to visit her Italian family, including her sister.

Just before she said she had collected photos from her holiday last year, Colin said and was in high spirits.

He said: "Every year she went to Italy to have a holiday in July with her sister and family. "It was the highlight of her year. It was the only thing she did for herself, but also brought lots of presents, her suitcase would be stacked with presents."

Mrs Taylor also leaves behind daughter Cynthia Redfern, 54, from Marlow, and grandsons Luke, 28, and Robert, 26.

The funeral takes place at St Peters Catholic Church, Marlow, on February 21 at 10am.

Well wishers and friends are encouraged to come.