To lose her this way is devastating: Family pays tribute to mother, 77, who died after her car veered off the road and plunged into a swollen river
The devastated family of a 77-year-old woman who drowned after her car plunged into a river swollen by heavy storms has said the devoted grandmother-of-three will be missed beyond words.
The devastated family of a 77-year-old woman who drowned after her car plunged into a river swollen by heavy storms has said the devoted grandmother-of-three will be missed beyond words.
Lesley Lee, from Northampton, died after her red Fiat Panda veered off Rushmere Road and into the River Nene on Monday, September 23.
It is believed the incident occurred some time between 12.20pm and 4.20pm, when the submerged vehicle was spotted in the water.
Northamptonshire Police confirmed no other car was involved and they do not know what caused the car to leave the road.
The tragedy occurred as much of the UK was hit by heavy rainfall and storms in the early part of the the week, leaving many roads and even entire towns completely underwater.
The family of Lesley Lee, 77, who drowned after her car plunged into a river swollen by heavy storms has said the devoted grandmother-of-three will be missed beyond words
Just upstream from the incident, emergency workers had to rescue people on narrowboats, while static homes lay submerged in water as the River Nenes levels increased to dangerous depths.
Today her grieving daughters Sarah and Nicola, and Lesleys partner Steve paid tribute to the exceptional lady, who always saw the best in people.
Lesley, who was born in 1947, lived in the village of Roade, Northampton her entire life and was an office worker first at her local council and later for His Majestys Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
She was described as being very close to her family, including her parents Maisie and Sidney, and her Aunt Eileen and Uncle Bernard.
They said: From a very young age, [she] always took it upon herself to help people, especially the elderly members of her family.
She was a hardworking woman, studying at Secretarial College when she was younger and then using the skills shed learnt there throughout her working life.
Her daughters described her as a wonderful mum and brilliant grandmother to Sean, Riley and Oscar, as well as her furry grandchildren - dogs Dahlie and Stan.
They said: She was nurturing, a lovely person to be around, and always made sure her two girls knew, unequivocally, how much she loved them both.
As a grandmother, Lesley was brilliant. She always wanted to help in any way she could including picking the children up after school and was always very generous on birthdays and at Christmas, and always gave them some money to buy themselves a treat on their holidays.
She met her wonderful partner Steve in the 1990s and they struck up a friendship. They lost touch over the years, but in the late 2000s she wrote him a letter to let him know she was thinking of him, her daughters added.
He rang her as soon as he received it, and they met up at the café in Salcey Forest - and here began their wonderful relationship.
The tragedy occurred as much of the UK was hit by heavy rainfall and storms in the early part of the the week, leaving many roads and even entire towns completely underwater. Pictured: The River Nene burst its banks on the same day Lesley Lees car veered into the water
She turned his life around and they enjoyed many happy years together, sharing a love of books and spending hours reading in each others company.
They enjoyed their daily afternoon strolls, many a crossword and puzzle, and many seaside holidays together.
Lesley was also described as a nature lover and enjoyed going on drives through the countryside.
Steve recalls fond memories of pulling over every time they saw lambs in the fields on their countryside drives, as he knew Lesley loved to look at the boingers as they used to refer to them.
The kindly pensioner was also an avid reader.
Static homes lay submerged in water as the River Nenes levels increased to dangerous depths on the same day that the tragic death occurred
Her family said: Lesley was such a family-orientated person and the only thing that came close to her love for them was her passion for reading.
She discovered books as a young child and loved the escapism they provided. Through the books that she read, from Jane Austen to Richard Osman, Lesley would go on a thousand adventures as she turned the pages.
She used to use the community book boxes to pick up some of her books, ensuring she always made a swap with a book shed already read.
They added their loss is devastating and had thought Lesley would live to 100.
Their statement added: Lesley was a kind, gentle and lovely lady. She didnt have the easiest of lives but she was always positive and a joy to be around.
She was healthy and looked so good for her age, we thought shed live to 100.
To lose her in this way is devastating and it feels like we have lost a part of ourselves that no one can replace.
She was such an exceptional lady - so loved, so deserving of good things, and she will be missed beyond words.
