A GRIEVING granddaughter has praised two Swindon transport services for allowing her grandmother to keep her independence in her later years.

Jean Rootes, of Chilton Gardens, Moredon died peacefully in the Great Western Hospital on February 18, aged 84.

The mother –of-two was a familiar face on Swindon Dial-A-Ride buses and Shopmobility scooters, making friends through her twice weekly trips around the town.

Jean’s granddaughter Angelene Aslantepe said the grandmother-of-three was at her happiest when in town with her friends.

“She would always talk about what a fantastic time she had had on the buses, the friends she had made. She would get Dial-A-Ride to Shopmobility then hop onto her scooter and sit in a café with friends or get up to mischief. It meant the world to her," she said.

“She always said how helpful and friendly the staff were. She loved the social side of it, getting fresh air, seeing her friends, chatting, laughing on the buses. At the end of the day when she was tired the staff would always take her bags in for her. We’re so grateful for their support.”

Angelene praised the two transport services for ensuring her "lovely" grandmother was safe and happy.

“Dial-A-Ride and Shopmobility gave my nan independence, happiness, freedom, company, so much, we as a family are so grateful that she was so happy.

“She is sorely missed by the whole family.”

Former kitchen supervisor Jean was married to Frank for 50 years before his death in 2002. In her later years Jean was devoted to her eight great-grandchildren.

As a fitting tribute to Jean, a Dial-A-ride bus will form part of her funeral procession, with many of her close friends on board.

“She would be pleased as punch that we were honouring them in this way,” said Angelene.

“We’d often see her in a convoy with her friends and this is making sure her happiest times are remembered at her send-off.”

Evelyn Rider, manager at Dial A Ride, said “lively and chatty” Jean would be deeply missed by the team.

“Jean made lots of friends on the bus and this was a way in which we could make sure all of those friends would be able to make it to her send-off,” she said.

“Since 2009 we took her everywhere from town, the hairdressers, the doctors, she used us two or three times a week and it was part of her everyday life.

“That’s what we’re all about, providing a social service where people can make friends and have fun as well as get where they want to be.

“We’re so pleased we were able to make such a huge difference to her life. She was a really nice lady.”

Jean’s funeral will be held at the Kingsdown Crematorium at 10.45am on March 17.