CHINGFORD: Tributes paid to tragic gran (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Tributes paid to tragic gran

11:58am Wednesday 30th June 2010 in Your Local Areas

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “lovely” grandmother who was killed after being hit by a car on a zebra crossing.

Rosalie Barnard was crossing the road close to Chingford Station in Station Road, Chingford, during a shopping trip when the tragic accident happened.

Despite initally appearing to have suffered just minor injuries, she was later rushed to a specialist unit when scans showed her life was in danger.

The mother-of-two died five days after the crash, leaving partner Kwame Ofori, sons Matthew and Alistair from a previous marriage and numerous grandchildren.

Her devastated partner Kwame Ofori said: "The best tribute I can say is, to know her was to love her. She was absolutely lovely."

"Matthew, Alistair and I have been supporting each other. They have been phoning everyday.

"All our friends have also been very supportive, I can't single anybody out. It's a time like this you realise who your friends are and that there were a lot of people who loved Rosalie."

Janet Gray, of Forest View, Chingford, had been friends with Mrs Barnard since the two met aged 11 at Chingford's Wellington Avenue School.

She said: "It's unusual to meet a friend like Rosalie, we used to meet regularly and we always had so much to say to each other.

"It's a friendship that I will sadly miss."

Urmila Doal, owner of Fields of Chingford, said Ms Barnard picked up a dress from her shop before the accident.

She added: "I spoke to her after it happened and she seemed fine, maybe a little shaken, it's awful.

"In the 25 years I have been here there have been a few incidents at the crossing. I wouldn't call it a blackspot but it does seem to attract a few problems."

Mrs Barnard worked at Highams Park library and later at the Oxfam shop in Chingford, before becoming clerk at Wood Green Crown Court until she retired.

The 66-year-old was treasurer of Chingford conservation group Ainslie and Larkswood Forest and she shared an allotment with Mr Ofori in Larkshall Road, Chingford.

The driver of the car has been interviewed but has not been charged.

Mrs Barnard’s funeral took place last Thursday.

Anyone with information abut the accident, which happened at 11.50am on June 5, is asked to call the Road Death Investigation Unit on 0208 5974874, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter