A LOVING husband has paid tribute to a dedicated wife who “loved the world”.

Lynne Moffat was a Castle Hedingham parish councillor and a pivotal member of the ministry team in the village.

She died at home on February 26, aged 67, and leaves three children and seven grandchildren who she “loved to bits”.

Lynne met husband Stuart when she was 16.

After marrying and having first child Elinor, Lynne studied at university before working at a day centre for children with learning disabilities.

The couple later had two more children, Ashley and Bobbie.

Stuart said his wife was “beautiful inside and out”.

“She was not demonstrative, she just made sure the wheels kept turning,” he said.

“She really was the glue of the family.”

Lynne studied theology for several years and became a qualified lay evangelist and parochial church council secretary of St Nicholas, church in Castle Hedingham.

Rev Liz Paxton also paid tribute to her. She said: “Lynne spoke always of the best of people. She was a natural encourager and supporter in deeds as well as words.”

Despite long-term illness, Lynne worked as a volunteer at the village store when it became a community shop in 2007, and served as a parish councillor for many years.

Fellow councillor Jo Beavis also paid tribute to her friend and former colleague.

She said: “Lynne had a natural sense of community and played a huge role in serving her local community. I will hold fond memories of Lynne and I will miss her humble and placid approach to solving community issues.”

Mr Moffat said Lynne loved the countryside and cared for the environment.

In her later years she fulfilled a lifelong dream to travel the world solo for three-and-a-half months, blogging her experiences as she went along.

During the trip she broke her arm in Cusco, Peru, but continued her travels.

She donated to seven charities every month, including Greenpeace, Save the Children and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and was a volunteer hospital driver.

She could be seen around the village walking her Lurcher morning and evening, stopping for a quiet word with other regular walkers.

Over the course of their marriage, Mr and Mrs Moffat gave loving homes to four rescue dogs.

Last year Lynne discovered jewellery, including her engagement ring, which she was leaving to her children and grandchildren had be stolen.

Stuart said it was devastating for the family to have lost such a important piece of shared history.

Lynne’s funeral service is at St Nicholas’ Church on Monday, March 25.