HEARTBROKEN widower Roy Irons has paid tribute to his best friend and wife Erica, after she died suddenly.

Mrs Irons, who was a well-known nursery nurse in Croydon and Sutton, was aged just 62.

Letters of condolence from children and parents have poured in since her death.

Mr Irons, 71, of Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, says they are testament to how much his wife was loved.

Mrs Irons worked at Busy Bees, in Chipstead Valley Road, and spent ten years at Hillside Kindergarten, in Sutton, "changing children's lives".

"Erica was really quite exceptional at her job, she had so much affection," Mr Irons said.

"She was disciplined but she never raised her voice to children. Parents used to come to her with problems and still children who have grown up write her letters."

The couple met 36 years ago at British Gas in Croydon and became instant friends.

But it was only when his future wife went on holiday that Mr Irons realised how he felt.

He said: "I remember the exact date we met and we always used to have a joke.

"But one day I called for her and another chap picked up the phone and told me she had gone to Devon. I just thought she could meet someone else down there and it was then I realised how much I loved her."

The pair married and went on to have a daughter, Rebecca, now 34, who has a two-year-old son, Alexander.

Mr Irons added: "When I was with Erica I was a better man, I would smile all the time. It was like being on an express train to happiness with her.

"She really was my one true love. When we were younger, at parties we would make a sign to each other saying I love you, and even when we were older we would do this sign sat in the living room.

"I am devastated she is gone but as I always say to people who are bereaved, the only way to avoid that feeling is by never knowing that person – and I never regret one moment spent with Erica."

Mrs Irons died on August 7 from deep vein thrombosis. Mr Irons called an ambulance after she said she felt unwell, but she died on her way to hospital.

He said: "It was so quick, suddenly she was gone."

Mrs Irons' funeral is being held today (Friday) at 12.45pm at St Andrews Church, Woodmansterne Road, Coulsdon. All who knew her are welcome to attend.