Her husband Jimmy, her family, lawn bowls, her club, bingo, cream cakes and Lambrusco wine.

And she will always be remembered for her two favourite sayings “ah, well” and “jeepers creepers”.

Yesterday, more than 300 people turned out to farewell Mrs Jarmain, 86, who died when her car was swept away in floodwater in Maitland on Wednesday, April 22.

Her funeral was held at St Christopher’s Anglican Church Rutherford, where family members and friends spoke about Mrs Jarmain’s strength, strong will, independence, modesty and, when it came to lawn bowls, her tough ­competitive streak.

She loved to watch the cricket, loved a punt on the horses and attended Maitland trots meetings.

Telarah Women’s Bowling Club president Deb Smith told the gathering how she was bewildered at such a sudden loss.

“Anne was never afraid to speak out to get things fixed. She was revered and respected by us all and she inspired us to love life, forgive and know that two wrongs do not make a right.

“She showed strength to stand by her beliefs without compromising her integrity.

“She was always a lady, although she did not like to lose at bowls, but she was gracious in defeat and always supported and encouraged other bowlers.”

Mrs Jarmain had taken up lawn bowls in 1983 and was named club person of the year in 2013.

To her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mrs Jarmain will always be Granny, who cooked a baked lunch every Sunday and made perfect sponge cakes and slices.

She devoted her later life to caring for Jim at their home, then visiting him at a Cessnock aged care facility two to three times a week, as well as fitting in bowls, bingo and family events.

“Granny was always there for us. She loved us all and we will never forget sitting around her small dining room as a family, catching up and telling stories,” her grandchildren said.

“She was the heart of our family and kept us all close.”

With arms wrapped around one another, fellow lawn bowlers sang out loud – as Mrs Jarmain had requested – to The Lord’s My Shepherd.

The service opened with another of Mrs Jarmain’s favourites, Barbra Streisand’s Memories and closed with Ave Maria as family members placed colourful gerberas on the coffin.

In a moving tribute, St Christopher’s rector Mother Moira prayed for courage for all those who had suffered loss during last week’s floods, for the rescuers and all emergency service people who tried to save Mrs Jarmain from the floodwater.

“Anne’s death took us by surprise, but death is not the end, although you feel fear, loss, sadness and grief,” she said. “May we all find joy in the simple things and a purpose in life.

“May we be generous, good humoured and resilient and take care of our neighbours as we rebuild our community.”

As fellow bowlers formed a guard of honour, Mrs Jarmain’s coffin was taken away and blue balloons floated into the sky in her memory.