THE husband of a pensioner who was killed in a fatal collision has paid tribute to a “very special lady”.

Penelope Coggan, 73, died after being struck by a car being driven by Hivda Altuntop in Harwich Road, Great Oakley.

Altuntop, 21, of High Street, Dovercourt, was convicted of causing Mrs Coggan’s death by dangerous driving by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

READ THE FULL STORY >> Woman found GUILTY of causing the death of pensioner in Great Oakley

Speaking for the first time following the trial, Mrs Coggan’s husband, Richard, paid tribute to his beloved wife.

Gazette: Beloved wife - Penelope CogganBeloved wife - Penelope Coggan (Image: Essex Police)

He said she was “a delightful person and as a mother, always happy, selfless, engaging and thoughtful, supportive and practical.”

Mrs Coggan was born in Essex to Betty and Ronald Greaves alongside her two sisters, Veronica and Vennessa.

Her long and dedicated career as a nurse started at Westminster Hospital where she trained as an S.R.N and later qualified as a midwife.

In 1968, at the tender age of 21, Mrs Coggan married Richard at Great Anwell Church and went on to have three sons – Nick, Mike and Chris.

But, never able to forget the love of her career, she went back to work as a practice nurse and manager in Ware.

Gazette: Tributes - flowers are left outside the Harewood Surgery near where Mrs Coggan diedTributes - flowers are left outside the Harewood Surgery near where Mrs Coggan died (Image: Newsquest)

In 2006, after their sons had flown the nest, the couple moved to Brittany, France, for the next 13 years of their lives together, promising to come back to England to be with their close-knit family.

Mr Coggan explained: “We wanted to come back and enjoy our family while in our 70s, while we could. Two of our sons live in the same road.”

Describing his wife, the devoted husband spoke on behalf of all the family, saying: “Penny was an avid horse lover and book reader - a very special lady, so missed by us all and our friends.”

Gazette: Trial - Chelmsford Crown CourtTrial - Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: ANDRA MACIUCA)

A jury returned a majority verdict finding Altuntop guilty of two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two counts of dangerous driving, two counts of possession of a knife, possession of cannabis, assaulting an emergency worker and causing death by dangerous driving.

Serious Collision Investigation OfficerEdward Gosling said: “My thoughts are with Penelope’s family and friends today as this conviction brings the trial to a close.

“Hivda Altuntop drove dangerously, having no regard for the safety of others.

“Her behaviour and poor decisions led to a fatal collision which resulted in the tragic loss of life.”