A woman who dedicated 40 years of her life to looking after children with learning disabilities, sometimes in her own home, will be ‘sorely missed’ by the many people she has helped.

Ann Louvain Lobo, of Macawber Avenue, Uxbridge, died on February 10 at the age of 68.

Her family described her as ‘a fantastic wife, mum and nanna who dedicated her life to her husband, children and grandchildren’.

They added: “We want you to know that not a day will go by when you are not loved and missed. You will always be held in our hearts forever.”

Ann Louvain Lobo dedicated 40 years to Mencap Hillingdon South before she died. Her family said she was ‘a fantastic wife, mum and nanna who dedicated her life to her husband, children and grandchildren.’

Mrs Lobo’s family were at the heart of everything she did in her life. She joined Mencap Hillingdon South more than 40 years ago when her so

n was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome.

Peter Shackleton, chairman of Mencap Hillingdon South, based at the Moorcroft complex in Harlington Road, Hillingdon, said they had been close friends as well as colleagues for all those years.

“I met Ann like I meet many parents of children with learning disabilities. She came to a meeting, as many people do, to find out what support and help was available.

“I think she very quickly realised that the group would not only be beneficial to her personally, but that it would be important for her to help other families going through a similar thing.”

Mrs Lobo even welcomed children into her own home, despite having a family of her own to look after.

“It was what we called an auntie service, where she would look after a child for a weekend or a few days to give the parents respite from care when they needed a break.

“We worked together with Hillingdon Social Services and her sense of care was always very well respected there.

“She cared for all of these children for many years on top of caring for her own son with a disability and her other children.

“Her family were everything to her and I think she saw Mencap as an extension of her family.”

Members of the many families she has helped attended her funeral, which was held on Monday at All Saints Church, in Ryefield Avenue, Uxbridge.

“She dedicated so much of her life to it,” Mr Shackleton added.

“Even towards the end of her life, when she was quite ill, she always found a way to put an effort in to do as much as she was able to for us.”

Mrs Lobo’s daughter and son are now also heavily involved, running clubs and helping at fundraising events for Mencap.

“I think it shows how important it was to her that she instilled in her children that it was a part of their life as well as hers.

“She will be sorely missed by very many people,” said Mr Shackleton.