TRIBUTES have flooded in for a “passionate” and “fun” former Colchester mayor and councillor who has died.
Mary Fairhead OBE, who started her journey as councillor in 1976 and was Colchester’s mayor in 1995 and 1996, has died aged 94.
Born in 1929, she was brought up in Mersea Road.
She fell in love with Richard Fairhead, an Essex county councillor, and the pair owned farmland in Layer de la Haye.
The beloved individual used to represent Winstree ward over the years before it was amalgamated and became the Birch and Winstree ward in 2002.
A huge highlight was when she was awarded her OBE by Queen Elizabeth in 1990 at Buckingham Palace.
As a staunch supporter of St Helena Hospice, she even welcomed the Queen Mother and Princess Diana to the hospice for a visit.
Mrs Fairhead passed away on May 18 at Cheviot Nursing Home, in Colchester.
Tributes have now poured in from loved ones, organisations, and councillors that worked with her.
Mary's daughter, Sue Bunting, has spoken to The Gazette about her mother.
Sue said: "My mother was passionate about Colchester and she championed the city during her time as a councillor and of course when she was Mayor of Colchester.
"I was honoured to be her mayoress and we had a fabulous year and were the first mother and daughter mayor and mayoress in the history of Colchester.
"On a personal level, she loved her family and was a much loved grandmother to Tom and Emma, who remember many happy times on the farm at Layer de la Haye.
"We’ll miss her, she was a great character and was very proud to reach 94 and a half."
Throughout her years of service, she volunteered to be part of the appeal committee tasked with raising funds to help set up St Helena Hospice in 1980.
Mrs Fairhead is well-known for discovering Myland Hall as the perfect location for the hospice and volunteered on the hospice's council of management for 17 years.
Mark Jarman-Howe, chief executive of St Helena Hospice has paid tribute to Mary.
He said: “It is with great sadness to learn of the death of Mary Fairhead, a remarkable person who dedicated her life to serving the people of Colchester.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are with Mary’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
Former Colchester mayor John Jowers joined the council in 1996, and was persuaded to join by Mary’s husband Richard Fairhead, better known as Dick.
“She was one formidable lady, and great fun," he said.
“I was persuaded to stand as a councillor by Mary’s husband, Richard Fairhead.
“Mary was enthusiastic and straight, there was something about her, no sort of ideology, it was just do good things the right way.
“I just thought she was great, she was fiery, up like a rocket and down just as quickly, had massive common sense, a lovely woman.”
Mayor of Colchester, Lesley Scott-Boutell, paid tribute, saying: “I am deeply saddened by the news that Honorary Alderman Mrs Mary Fairhead, OBE has passed away.
"Her long-standing service, both as mayor and as councillor, shows us how dedicated she was to serving the public.
"Her incredible work helping start up St Helena Hospice is a legacy that will be with us for many years. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.”
Mrs Fairhead OBE’s funeral service will take place on June 13 at St James’ Church, Church Street, Nayland, at 12pm.
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