A town council has paid tribute to one of its former mayors who died last weekend.

Ann Stephenson was elected to the position, which she held for a year, in Hadleigh in 2000 and was a councillor of more than a decade’s standing.

The 84-year-old, who was born in Felixstowe, died on Sunday, December 14 after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease.

Current mayor Sue Angland said Miss Stephenson was someone who “very much had the community at heart”.

“She was a very diligent, conscientious town councillor who worked very hard for the good of the town,” Mrs Angland said.

“She owned a B&B which was very popular with her guests and she was very hard working in everything she did.

“She did it all on her own so dedicated and committed are definitely two words to describe her.”

Mrs Angland added Miss Stephenson’s active participation in many areas of the community meant she was known to a lot of the town.

“Everybody knew her because she was a local business woman and very involved in local events.

“She was quite forthright in her views but in a very endearing way.

“You always felt she spoke from the heart and she also had a nice sense of humour.

“She was very much keen to have all community groups working together.”

Miss Stephenson’s brother Brian, who lives in Kent, said his sister previously worked in administration at several universities around the country.

Among those were institutions in Sheffield, Leeds and Cambridge.

At University College London, where she was domestic bursar, one of the halls of residence on its Camden Town campus was named after Miss Stephenson.

Mr Stephenson added: “In 1984 Ann took early retirement and moved to Hadleigh, taking over the proprietorship of Odds and Ends guest house at the north end of the High Street.

“Finally retiring from that in 1999 she was active in local politics, being elected to Hadleigh Town Council and Babergh Councils representing the Liberal Democrats.”

A minute’s silence was held for Miss Stephenson at the Hadleigh Town Council meeting on December 18.

A funeral service will be held at the Greenwood Burial Site in Farnham at 2.30pm on Thursday, January 8 next year.

Miss Stephenson’s family has asked for donations to the charity Parkinsons UK instead of flowers. Money can be sent care of Kingsbury and Saunders Funeral Directors, 61 George Street, Hadleigh IP7 5BW.