A Walthamstow-native who died in Australia will be remembered at a party in celebration of her life as “a kind, compassionate person and a singer who entertained lots of people”.

Diane Saville, 65, died in Perth on October 20 where she had lived with her husband David for the past 26 years.

Her sister Patsy Bird, 59, said a night of singing at her local pub will be the best way to remember Diane, who performed all over the world.

“I would like her to be remembered in a happy way, not a sad way,” said the mother-of-three.

“Singing is very therapeutic and we will have a night of singing for her. It’s was the way we dealt with terrible situations growing up - just by singing.

“Everyone is welcome and it will go on into the night. There will be a lot of professional singers there and a buffet full of cakes – Diane loved sweet things. We need to celebrate her life.”

Mrs Saville lost her daughter Beth, 20, in 1992 when the 20-year-old and her boyfriend died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a house in Camden Road, Walthamstow.

Mrs Bird believes her sister never really got over losing her child, despite starting a new life Down Under with her husband and step-sons.

Working as a machinist and teaching keyboard lessons, she tried her best to settle into her new surroundings but missed her family back home.

“She loved Australia but missed her family and the friends she had grown up with. She didn’t have any grandkids and she missed out on seeing her nieces and nephews growing up,” added Mrs Bird.

Mrs Bird, an environmental architect, was just five-years-old when her father died, leaving her mother to provide for her and her four siblings.

The family, who lived in Guildsway, Walthamstow, endured many years of hardship but thankfully Dian was there to comfort her younger sister and take her under her wing.

“Diane was 13 when my dad died and my mum was busy running around trying to look after everyone,” she remembers.

“She became like my mum, my confidant, and as the second eldest she taught us all how to sing.

“There was no social security in those days and there was a fight over who got the piece of cardboard to put in your shoe to stop the rain getting in.

“She was a kind, compassionate person and a singer who entertained lots of people. Diane is with Beth now. I believe when you die, you don’t really die.”

Mrs Bird, with the help of her brother Terry Bird and her sister Pauline Smith, will host a memorial party in memory of Diane at The Larkshall Pub in Chingford on Friday, November 9. It will run from 3.30pm until late.