ELIZABETH Potter was just two days away from meeting her unborn great nephew when she died.

The "most gentle, kind, generous and warm-hearted" school matron was cycling on the A30 near Donhead St Mary when she was hit by a car on August 15.

She died at the scene.

Today Elizabeth's family described the 60-year-old as a keen cyclist, photographer and gardener who loved to read and explore the country.

She lived in Shaftesbury and worked at Knighton House School in Dorset.

Headmistress Sarah Wicks said everyone at the school was "deeply saddened" by the death of their "beloved matron".

She said: "Elizabeth looked after the children in her care with great love, sharing their joys and triumphs as well as helping them through difficult times.

"Elizabeth was the most gentle, kind, generous and warm-hearted person, someone to rely on, with a mischievous sense of fun and a legendary love of all things chocolate.

"Her passion for gardening will be remembered by many - most of the staff here have at least one plant, grown by her from a seed or cutting.

"Elizabeth had a profound and positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children and is described by old girls and parents as a 'second mother' to a generation of Knighton girls.

"We are privileged to have worked and lived alongside her and to have called her our friend and colleague. She will be greatly missed."

In a statement, Elizabeth's family said: "She always looked forward to her holidays and spending time with her mother and brothers, especially at Christmas when she enjoyed catching up with her nephews and nieces and their children.

"Elizabeth’s newest great-nephew was born just two days after she died.

"She had been so excited to meet him and had been counting down the days until he was born.

"Elizabeth’s family, her many friends, the families for whom she worked and their children she had brought up and loved as their Nanny, and the children and staff at Knighton House School, her kindly and caring neighbours and local people who knew her will all miss her warmth, her wicked sense of humour, her presence and her loyal friendship."