Tributes for Lib Dem stalwart

5.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Sep 2008

Local Liberal Democrat Activist Mary Edwards, pictured with Party President Simon Hughes MP at a Chelmsford Lib Dem annual dinner

Tributes are being paid to widow Mrs Mary Edwards of Avon Road, Chelmsford, whose funeral was held this week. Local Lib Dem Councillor, Simon Jones, said: "Mary was a familiar sight around the community, and was an enthusiastic member of many local organisations, including the Cathedral Mothers' Union, Trinity Road Methodist Bereavement Group and St Andrew's Church Evergreen Club.

"She joined the Liberal Democrats four years ago, and was regular at meetings, active in many ways and relished our social events. She also loved going on excursions and trips. She also doted on children, which was not surprising as she spent much of her life as a nanny.

"Until the last few months she would walk long distances and was very fit. Just in the last period did she complain about feeling less well."

Mrs Edwards was 68 and had no children.

Mayor of Chelmsford Tom Willis, who is another of Mary's local Councillors added: "I got to know Mary well, and she was always a live-wire, interested in everything going on in Chelmsford. She frequently wrote to the local papers, and attended local meetings such as those of the Chignal Estate Residents' Association. We will all miss her."

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Reported in the Chelmsford Weekly News as well.