FELIXSTOWE: Loving tributes were today paid to a woman who collapsed and died doing her favourite hobby.

Anne Jennings was Nordic walking in Ferry Road when she tragically died of a heart attack.

Her husband Trevor Jennings, 65, said: “She was like an explosion of life. She just enjoyed every single minute of life.

“She was such an extrovert. She would walk into a room and hug everybody.”

Anne, 68, moved to Lynwood Avenue from her native Northamptonshire in 2001, and had only just returned to her favourite hobby of Nordic walking – a form of power walking – since taking time off to care for her husband after he was diagnosed with bone cancer at Christmas last year.

Mr Jennings said: “She was crazy about health walking and the Nordic walking – it was the challenge of it and the exercise.

“But her love was looking after people and animals, and she used to love horse riding. She was a real outdoors type.”

Anne managed a lingerie shop in Desborough, Northamptonshire, where the couple lived after they married in 1981, and has four children and grandchildren from a previous marriage.

She was a walk leader for the Stepping out in Suffolk health walks and would often go out with neighbours John and Jean Bloomfield, also of Lynwood Avenue, for weekly six-mile walks around Leiston, Pin Mill and Minsmere.

“She was such a bubbly character,” Mr Bloomfield said. “She was a friend to everyone in the street.

“She was one of those people who would never ease herself into things – she would throw her whole self in straight away.

“Anne was always ready to help in any way she could and was so proud of her family, and during Trevor’s illness, she kept very upbeat. Felixstowe has lost a true friend and much-admired lady.”

The couple also loved being out on the water and owned a yacht at Pin Mill. Retired midwife Margaret Alford tended to Mrs Jennings along with paramedics and a gardener who was working nearby after the collapse in Ferry Road at around 11am on Monday. Mrs Jennings had stopped to admire a beautiful view.

The funeral will take place on November 29 at Seven Hill Crematorium and the family has asked that no one wear black.

- Would you like to pay your own tribute to Mrs Jennings? Call the Felixstowe newsdesk on 01394 284109.