FOR 30 years, Jean Williams was a calming presence as she guided learner drivers in Didcot around the streets.

Now her family is mourning her after she died from pneumonia, following a chest infection.

Mrs Williams, 55, of Icknield Close, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on April 20, after a short illness.

Son Kevin, 29, and daughter Sarah, 26, expect All Saints Church in Lydalls Road to be full of mourners for her funeral on Tuesday, at 11am.

Mr Williams, of Evenlode, Didcot, said: “She must have taught thousands of learner drivers and she was a patient and calming influence on her customers.

“Mum liked to have a laugh and a joke and I think people will remember her cheerful nature.

“After she died, we found a letter in her office drawer at home which said she wanted people to celebrate her life and she told us ‘I love you all’.”

She set up Jean’s School of Motoring in 1981 and was a familiar sight around the town in her blue Vauxhall Corsa.

She was born in Stokesley, Middlesbrough, and moved to Didcot when she was seven, where she attended Manor Primary School and Didcot Girls’ School.

Mr Williams said: “Up until eight months ago, mum was in good health but then she had a severe chest infection which developed into pneumonia. This has been very hard to take but everyone in the family has rallied round.”

Inquiries were being diverted to other driving schools, he said.

“It would be very difficult to carry on the business without mum – that kind of work requires a great deal of skill and patience,” he added.

Miss Williams added: “We think the church will be packed and we have hired the Conservative Club in Didcot so that people can gather afterwards to remember mum. In mum’s letter, she requested that people at the funeral don’t wear black, because she doesn’t want it to be a sad day.”

Didcot mayor John Flood, who lives opposite Mrs Williams in Icknield Close, said: “Jean was a good neighbour, a lovely person and she will be sorely missed.

“Thousands of learner drivers must have been taught by her over the years.”