Her son Ken Marchant said she was walking from her home in Wi Apo Place, just off Mathieson Rd, to do some shopping.
His son Scott, Auckland Council's deputy principal rural fire officer, just knew something wasn't right.
"My son Scott heard the sirens, but he knew nothing about what was happening," said Mr Marchant.
"He just had a feeling ... he ran to his nana's place and there was no reply. Then he drove up the road ... he saw her pink cane and he knew one of the cops so he spoke to him and he told him what happened."
Mrs Marchant was already in the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
By the time her son and grandson got to the hospital she was dead.
Mr Marchant said his mother was dearly loved by her family. Her other son Brian lives in London and is due to arrive on New Year's Day.
"We were both close to her. It's such a shock, a bad shock," Mr Marchant said. "She was with us at Christmas. We had a great time ... she was loved by everyone."
Mrs Marchant spent most of her life in Papatoetoe. She moved to Wellsford about three years ago to be closer to her family after her husband died.
"She was a lovely lady. She had a good sense of humour," Mr Marchant said. "She was great. She was one of those ladies who liked to go for a walk. She was just going across the road to do some shopping ..."
Sergeant Blair Atkinson of the Waitemata Serious Crash Unit said it was too early to comment on the investigation.
Officers spent most of Tuesday carrying out a scene examination. The road was closed for three hours and thousands of holiday-makers heading north were diverted or held up.
Mr Marchant wanted to thank everyone who rushed to help his mother.
"I'd just like to thank them all very much, and thank everyone for everything they tried to do for her."
Mrs Marchant will be farewelled at a service near Wellsford next week.
