A newly-elected councillor who “loved” Bury St Edmunds has died at the age of 68.

Charlotte Howard became a Conservative borough councillor representing the Abbeygate ward in the town in May.

Mrs Howard, of Briarwood Avenue, Bury, passed away on Sunday. She had only been told in June that her cancer - which was on her liver and affected her aorta - was incurable.

Her daughter Angela Whitehead, 45, said: “She loved the town. She was totally committed to it. She worked in Scotts Opticians right in the centre of the town.

“She loved the architecture, she loved it thriving. She didn’t want it to become one of these tumbleweed towns with retail parks on the outskirts.”

Mrs Howard, who had been married to Leonard for 33 years, loved all her seven grandchildren “to bits,” Mrs Whitehead said. “She was a very, very good grandmother and an exceptional mother. She was incredibly dedicated to her family, a beautiful homemaker, an incredible lady. Everything she did to the best of her ability.

“She loved life. She had a beautiful smile and beautiful eyes, the biggest heart in the world. She was completely forgiving and a real peacemaker.”

She said her mother loved travelling, supported charities, including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), and was hoping to be a volunteer at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Conservative councillor Robert Everitt, who has known the Howard family for about 30 years, said: “My sympathies go out to Len and her family. It all happened so quickly. She will be sadly missed and I think she would have made an excellent councillor.”

Her funeral is taking place at St Mary’s Church in Bury at 12.30pm on August 30. It will be family flowers only, but if desired people can donate to EACH care of L Fulcher in Whiting Street. Mrs Howard also leaves sons Edward and Gordon.