More than 500 people are estimated to have attended the funeral of Anne Naysmith, known as the 'car lady' of Chiswick.
Hounslow mayor Corinna Smart joined local councillors, MP Mary Macleod and hundreds of members of the community which took her to its heart.
Three local vicars were among those who spoke movingly about the dedicated churchgoer during the service, held at St Michael & All Angels Church, in Chiswick, on Saturday (March 7). She was later buried at Chiswick New Cemetery.
Ms Naysmith was a talented pianist but after being evicted from her home in Chiswick during the '70s she took to sleeping in her car outside, becoming a local celebrity.
When that was removed she slept on the streets, creating a shelter around the back of Stamford Brook tube station and refusing all offers of charity.
A huge outpouring of grief followed her death, aged 78, in a collision with a lorry in Chiswick High Road on February 10, and a shrine was created at the site of her old shelter.
Sergeant Dave Turtle, the neighbourhood policing officer for Turnham Green, said more than 550 people had turned out to pay their last respects on Saturday.
Father Kevin Morris, of St Michael's, who led the service, was among those who praised her simple way of life and spoke of her love of music, cricket and gardening. There was also a reading by the council social worker who got to know Ms Naysmith perhaps better than anyone.
Also present was Ros Elwes, who the previous night had walked The Big Issue Foundation's Big London Night Walk, in aid of the magazine's homeless distributors, dedicating her endeavour to Ms Naysmith.
Chiswick Homefields ward councillor, John Todd, said: "It was a very dignified, memorable occasion with wonderful music provided by the choir and others.
"Three local vicars participated in their own different ways. One said Anne went to church and asked what she should give up for lent which I thought was amazing."
For all her idiosyncrasies and sometimes brusque manner, according to those who knew her, Ms Naysmith was held in great affection by the community, including those at the many churches she attended and cricketers in the grounds of Chiswick House, where she was a regular spectator.
Jean Ainscough Ponder was among those gathered for Ms Naysmith's send-off.
Writing on the Annie Naysmith tribute page on Facebook, she said: "The church was full to capacity - and it seems everyone had a story to tell!"
There were also many touching tributes on Twitter from those present, including James Dunford, who described it as the "most beautiful" funeral service he had ever attended.
