Rosina Coleman, 85, who lived alone, was found inside her £400,000 home in Romford, East London, after what police have described as a "cowardly assault" on Tuesday morning.
Paul Prause was arrested on suspicion of murder in Romford on Friday and remains in custody at an East London police station.
He will appear at Redbridge Magistrates Court on Monday.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and neck.
The former seamstresses death has stunned neighbours on quiet Ashmour Gardens who described her as a "always happy" and a "lovely neighbour and friend".
Police believe she was killed some time between 7.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday. She was discovered by her handyman inside her home.
Rosina's sister Joyce Bell and her husband Jack said they were still in shock at Rosina's death and described her as a 'good woman'.
The 77-year-old said: "She was a good woman, we got on well.
Jack added: "Rose was a decent woman. This has come as quite a shock- it's dreadful."
Neighbours said the street had been plagued with cold callers offering to work on residents' properties in the weeks before the attack.
Detective Inspector Paul Considine of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Whilst we have made an arrest today, the investigation into Rosina's murder remains ongoing and I continue to appeal for witnesses.
"Every fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation and it is imperative that we gather as much evidence as we can against the person responsible for this horrendous offence."
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or tweet @MetCC.
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