Losing wonderful wife in bike crash is like nuclear devastation

The husband of a cyclist killed in a collision with a lorry told today of the “nuclear” effect that the loss of a “wonderful, caring, vivacious person” had had on his life.

Hilary Lee, 66, a retired social worker, became the 11th cyclist to be killed on London’s roads this year after being knocked down outside St John the Baptist Church in High Barnet as she rode home.

Witnesses told how a priest from the church dashed outside to minister to the mother-of-two from Whetstone after being given permission by the emergency services.

Mrs Lee worked with adults with learning disabilities in Barnet before retiring five years ago.

She volunteered at several organisations including the Samaritans, the Stroke Association and Talking Newspapers.

She had been married to husband Geoff, 67, a retired firefighter, for 42 years. They had two grown-up children and three grandchildren.

Describing how his wife’s death had affected him, Mr Lee said: “Right now for me, it is nuclear, I couldn’t explain how big it is.

“I come into this house and she is everywhere and nowhere. It has been devastating, devastating is not enough to describe it. Her children as well are so upset about it.”

Mr Lee paid tribute to his wife, saying: “An active walker, swimmer and cyclist and devoted wife, mother and nana, Hilary was without doubt a very special person.

“The volume and content of all the messages of condolence and support that I have received and am still receiving bear that out and I am proud that she has touched so many people in such a positive way.

“I can’t express how much she will be missed by me and her two grown-up children, Amy and Joe, and her three adored grandsons, also by her brother and his family.”

Mrs Lee suffered head and chest injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Lee said: “She had been out for a ride on her bicycle and from the position where the accident took place she would have been on her way home.”