A nurse has today paid tribute to the life and career of her late godmother, who she said became like an adopted grandmother to her family.

Dorothy Watson, of St Francis Care Home in Falmouth Avenue, Highams Park, died this morning aged 84 at Whipps Cross Hospital, a week after being admitted for kidney failure.

Mrs Watson, a former cashier at Argos in Walthamstow High Street for 40 years, moved to Leyton from Chesterfield with her newly-wed husband William Watson in the 1950s.

The couple, who were desperate to have children but could not conceive, moved to Turner Road in Walthamstow where they lived above the family of Winnie and Richard Furlong and their children, Frances, Michelle and Elanor.

After growing a strong relationship with the family over the years, Mrs Watson became godmother to their eldest daughter Frances Furlong, who frequently visited Mrs Watson with her five year-old daughter Sophia up until her passing. 

Mrs Furlong, 37, who is expecting her second child, paid tribute to the "remarkable, resilient" woman she describes as her "grandmother".

"Dorothy was the most fun-loving, wonderful person. She was always smiling, singing, and made the most amazing cakes.

"We always said she could have put Mr Kipling out of business with her bakes and cakes."

"She had this open-door policy and was always there for us, giving us words of wisdom and was a great comfort," said Mrs Furlong

Having developed Alzheimer's 10 years ago, Mrs Watson lost contact with friends and family and was moved into St Francis Care Home, situated along the same road as the couple's home in Highams Park.

Just two weeks after being separated from one another, Mr Watson, a strong West Ham supporter and former assembly line worker at Ford Motors, died of a heart attack.

To this day, Mrs Furlong and her family say he died of a "broken heart" as the pair were inseparable for it was "always just the two of them".

Now, Mrs Furlong says she is "finally re-united with her beloved William, where she belongs".

The funeral is due to be held in the next two weeks, and Mrs Furlong would like anyone who may have known Mrs Watson to get in contact with her on 07939 064616.