THE family of a 58-year-old woman who died of cancer have paid tribute to her endless generosity and community spirit.

Maxine Robinson, nee Lovell, died on April 27 following a battle against multiple cancers.

The young-spirited great-grandmother spent much of her life living in Oliver Road, Leyton, with her husband and two children where she was very active in the community.

She worked as a social worker with children in care homes, then later as the owner of the family-run Maczeen’s hair salon in Leytonstone High Road for eight years.

But outside of work, she gave much of her free time to helping wayward teenagers, imparting advice and guiding them through college applications.

Her daughter, Sheryleen Lovell, 39, said: “She was always giving people advice and taking in teenagers.

"She was like a counsellor to other people and their kids. She was very supportive of everyone in the community.

“Before she died she was in a coma for six days and throughout that time teenagers kept coming in saying how she had helped them and how she was like a mother to them.”

The great-grandmother was deeply religious and an active member of the New Testament Assembly in Leyton.

She undertook missionary work abroad and would regularly organise food parcels to send to the poor in Africa and all over the world.

Aside from her generosity, she is also remembered by her family for her lively spirit.

Ms Lovell said: “She was larger than life and was very happy and carefree.

"If she was laughing everyone could hear her for miles. She was happy-go-lucky and never let anything get her down.”

Maxine Robinson leaves her husband, Michael Robinson, two children Sheryleen and John Lovell, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.