JOYCE Pilot made every day of her 100-year life special.

But two weeks before celebrating her 101st birthday she died at home in Goddard Avenue, Swindon with her daughter Sylvia by her side.

And the 68-year-old says she will miss her mum's smile and warmth the most.

Mrs Pilot died on Wednesday in the house that she had lived in for more than 60 years.

She was born in Dryden Street and grew up in Clifton Street, attending Clifton Street then Euclid Street schools.

"My mum was a very special lady to many people," said Miss Pilot, who has cared for her since 1993.

"She was such a gentle person, quite quiet really.

"I have had so many cards since she died, all telling me how much my mum will be missed."

One card from a family friend read: "I remember many happy days at number 78. Your mum made my teenage years so rewarding."

Another card from a neighbour read: "Your mum was like a second mum to me."

Miss Pilot added: "I don't think anyone believed that mum lived until she was 100, even she was surprised. She wasn't the robust type of lady you would expect.

"But we did think she was going to see 101. She was fine up until two weeks before she died."

Mrs Pilot's husband Robert died 10 years ago but she still continued to live a full life.

Robert was an apprentice at the railway works and the couple met at a dance at the Bradford Hall in Old Town.

They shared many interests during their marriage, including a passion for motorbikes.

Mrs Pilot loved nothing more than to jump on the back of her husband's bike to go for a ride in the countryside.

They also enjoyed playing tennis and ice skating together.

In 1926 Mr Pilot was made redundant and moved to Belgium where he had got a job for an engineering consultancy.

After two years he returned to marry Joyce at the Methodist Church in Clifton Street on April 19, 1928, before they went back to Belgium together to live in Liege and later in Brussels.

"My mum and dad were very friendly people and mum made lots of friends who she kept in contact with, although she outlived them all," said Miss Pilot.

Mrs Pilot, who had worked as a darkroom technician in a chemist in Wood Street as a young woman, did not work after she was married.

"Mum loved her family to be around her and she would sit at home making crochet blankets for charities," said Miss Pilot. She was still making these well into her 80s.

In the last six years Mrs Pilot slowly began to lose her hearing until she could no longer hear at all.

"This was a great shame because mum loved conversation," said Miss Pilot.

"But we could write things down and show her because she always wanted to know what was going on.

"This is what people will remember about mum. She was always interested in people."

Mrs Pilot's humanist funeral will take place on Thursday, May 18 at Kingsdown crematorium at 1.30pm.