Pensioner Lily Wickens has died just weeks before she was due to celebrate her 106th birthday.
Mrs Wickens, who has two daughters in their 80s, was living independently at home until she died.
Despite failing sight and hearing, she lived in Elwyn Jones Court, Patcham, Brighton, where staff from Carewatch would visit the sprightly pensioner three times a day.
She was taken ill in the early hours of last Wednesday.
Maureen Gunn, a senior carer for Carewatch, said Mrs Wickens had been suffering from a cold.
Her condition deteriorated and she was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where she died.
Mrs Gunn said: "She was a lady with true grit, living on her own right to the last. Lily was very good for her age. She was a lovely lady."
A funeral service will be held for the great-grandmother at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, tomorrow at 12.15pm.
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