Tributes have been paid to respected community stalwart Lillian Dann, who has died at the age of 101 at a Norfolk home.

The great grandmother, who lived in Hill Grove residential home in Colney Lane, Cringleford, had been well known in her community and had been the founder member of the Norwich Ladies' Lifeboat Guild.

Mrs Dann died in her sleep on Boxing Day and her funeral was held on Tuesday.

Keith Panton, her son-in-law, who is married to her daughter Sue, said: 'She was a lovely lady; everybody called her a lady.

'She's quite a loss to the community because she did so much for Norwich. She was in the Mother's Union, the Norwich Society, the Norfolk and Norwich Music Club, a friend of Norwich Cathedral.

'She broke her hip in May, but she took that like a trooper.

'She had a very good innings and had a good old time.'

Mrs Dann, who was the daughter of an Essex farmer, had grown up in Great Tey before moving to Colchester after winning a scholarship aged 11 to go to Colchester County High School for Girls.

On leaving school, she took up employment with Barclays Bank as a manager's secretary.

She came to Norwich in 1959 when her husband Roderick, whom she married in 1939, was promoted to the position of manager at a Norwich branch of Lloyds Bank.

,Her daughter, Sue Panton said: 'She was a keen sportswoman and gifted pianist. She bought her first car, a 100 Ford in 1930, and owned and drove a car until she was 93.'

Mrs Dann, who leaves behind two children, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren, continued to hold the position of honorary treasurer of the Norwich Ladies' Lifeboat Guild for 40 years, for which she was awarded the RNLI gold badge and bar.

She became very involved with her local church and was a member of the Mothers' Union in the parish of Eaton for nearly 50 years.

She was also a volunteer helper for the Norwich Society for many years and pursued her musical interests with the Norfolk and Norwich Music Club, attending concerts for more than 40 years.

When she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2009, she was joined by four generations of family and friends from afar, including her niece, great niece and great great nephew from California.

Do you want to pay tribute to a loved one? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk