A pensioner killed after being knocked down while two people were arguing in Oxford city centre had only recently got the all-clear from cancer.

Mother-of-four Jean Heapy, 74, banged her head while Christmas shopping with her daughter Tracy, outside BHS in Queen Street on Monday.

She was taken home but, after losing part of her vision, she was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. She had severe head injuries and later died.

Last night, her family said it was her first major trip out since doctors said she would make a 100 per cent recovery after chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer.

A 35-year-old homeless woman, Victoria Arthur, was remanded in custody yesterday after being charged with manslaughter.

Mrs Heapy’s family paid tribute to the pensioner, who had seven grandchildren including Didcot Town FC captain Jamie Heapy, 29, and grandson-in-law former Oxford United star Joey Beauchamp.

Her husband Peter, 79, of Lake Road, East Hagbourne, near Didcot, said: “We are devastated. We thought it was a nightmare but we’ve woken up and it is a reality.

“Her generosity was unbelievable and so was her enthusiasm and energy for life. She was a real happy-go-lucky person.

“We thought with the all-clear things were getting back to normal and we couldn’t wait to get on with life. But now tragically she has been taken away from us.”

The couple married at St Andrew’s Church in East Hagbourne 55 years ago and have been together for 61 years.

Their five children, Alan, 54, Ian, 53, John, 50, and Tracy, 42, and Jacqueline were all born in the family home. Jacqueline died in 1991, aged 31, in a car crash.

Mrs Heapy and her husband spent up to three days a week tending the local cemetery.

Mr Heapy added: “This has brought it all back. It is the second time there has been a death in the family through no fault of our own.”

Son John said: “It was her first major outing since she got the treatment and the all-clear.

“She had dusted herself down and said she would be okay.

“But when she got home the bump on her head got bigger and she suffered vision problems. Dad took her to hospital but the swelling was so bad they said there was nothing they could do.”

Son Ian said: “I’ve never seen someone with so much energy. She would have been here for another 10 or 15 years.”

Daughter Tracy said: “You feel cheated to have lost such a wonderful person too early. Her family was her life.”

Mrs Heapy spent many years as caretaker at Hagbourne Primary School and helped out at Chattells Auctions in aid of charity.

She also helped to run local football teams which at one stage had her husband and three sons lining up on the same team.

Granddaughter Millie, 27, is married to former Oxford United and West Ham footballer Joey Beauchamp, 37.

She also leaves behind grandchildren Rebecca, 29, Greg, 23, Callum, 11, Kieran, nine, and Oliver, four.