TRIBUTES have been paid to Dodington Parish Council clerk and community stalwart Wendy Mayo.

The 53-year-old mother-of-two died on August 6 after a short battle with non-Hodgkin lymphona.

Clerk to the council for eight years and formerly manager of Ridgewood Community Centre in Yate, Wendy was well known in the local area and was hugely respected by her colleagues.

Council chairman Cllr Christine Howard said: “It has left all councillors and everyone who came into contact with her in shock.

“This amazing lady was an integral part of the council and to each of us individually.”

Wendy, who lived in Yate with her husband Derek and their daughters Caroline, 19, and Rebecca, 17, only went to see a doctor to ask for a new inhaler for her asthma after developing a cough. But she was admitted to Southmead Hospital at the end of June and diagnosed weeks later.

Described as a pillar of the community, Wendy served as chairman of Raysfield Junior School’s PTA, as a governor at Chipping Sodbury School and as chairman of South Gloucestershire’s Town and Parish Council Forum. She was also previously secretary and then chairman of the Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire branch of the Society of Local Council Clerks.

She joined Dodington Parish Council on March 1, 2007.

Added Cllr Howard: “She has been our guiding light ever since.

“She has always had the residents of Dodington as her priority and has bought the parish council forward in many ways. The children’s play areas have always been a priority to her, ensuring that we get grants where possible - the reason we got one of just two Queen Elizabeth II playing field awards in the South Gloucestershire area was due to her."

She is also credited with the council’s acquisition of Liliput Park and extra allotments. She was a keen supporter of the parish’s own football team and Dodington Parish Band.

“Wendy was a fantastic lady who had an amazing way of making sure everyone felt valued,” said Cllr Howard. “She was always supportive of everyone and especially me as the chairman.

“She has been on and was still on many committees who had benefited from her sage advice and support.

“Wendy was a one off and so many of us will sadly miss her.”

Her family said they were 'devastated' particularly as her daughters are so young and will miss their mum as they progress through adulthood.

The funeral takes place at Westerleigh Crematorium at 11.30am on Tuesday, August 25. The congregation is asked to wear a tie, scarf or jewellery in Wendy’s favourite colour green. Family flowers only, donations to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 5EA.