“SHE worked hard all her life and was warm and loving - we never wanted for anything. She supported all of us - my dad, my sister and me.”

Peggy Appleyard, who in tandem with raising a family helped her late husband Colin build a successful Suzuki and Nissan car dealership, died suddenly at her home in Silsden, aged 82.

Her son Robin, 57 , pays tribute to her hard work, boundless enegry and devotion to her family.

Peggy helped Colin to build the company that bears his name into a business that today employs more than 100 people and has a multi-million pound turnover.

“When it began more than 50 years ago, as a motorbike dealership, it was just Mum and Dad,” said Robin. “In the early days my mum did all sorts - she was secretary, valeter and had many other roles, and at the same time she managed to juggle all our family activities. She took me to football and rugby and my sister Judith to running and swimming. She was a really great mum.”

Peggy met Colin, who died in 2015 aged 79, when she was working as a nurse in Saltaire. “He was a mechanic at a nearby garage and they kept bumping into each other,” said Robin. They were married for 55 years.”

Colin went on to become hugely influential in two- wheel motorsport and in 2013 received an MBE for services to motorsport. Peggy, who accompanied him to Buckingham Palace, was also a well-known figure in the British Superbike (BSB) paddock.

“She referred to the paddock as her second family,” said Robin, himself a former Road Race champion rider who is now managing director of the Colin Appleyard Group.

“She was a great supporter of many young riders starting out in the sport.”

Grandmother to Jack, 25, Ben, 24, Lauren, 35 and Cassie, 31 Peggy also thoroughly enjoyed her role as great-grandmother to Louie, 8 Ivy, 7 and Lenny 19months.

“They all loved her,” said Robin. “The positive thing is that latterly she was seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren on an almost daily basis.

“She was happy and content to know that her family were happy and content - that was how she was.”

Peggy was excited to watch Valentino Rossi’s final race with her family on TV just days before she died.

As chairman of Colin Appleyard Ltd, earlier this year Peggy was able to attend their company meeting to thank everyone after the tough 18 months of Covid. “It was good that she was able to do that,” said Robin.

More than 300 tributes have been made by those involved with the business and motorbike racing. “We have had messages from everyone, from world champions , business owners to track marshalls and our customers” said Robin . “Most of them mention her warm smile and the fact that she was always helpful. In sad moments it is comforting to read about how much people thought about Mum.”

Peggy led a happy, full life, although since Colin’s death she missed him “every minute of every day,” added Robin.

“One person who sent a message said that Dad would be waiting for her with a glass of wine, which is a nice thought.”

*Peggy’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s Church, Saltaire on Tuesday 14th December at 11:30. Details will be announced on Colin Appleyard’s Facebook page and website colinappleyard.com