TRIBUTES have been paid to former Mayor of Bournemouth Sheila McQueen, who died earlier this month.

Mrs McQueen served on Bournemouth Council for two decades during which she was appointed mayor in 1982, as well as eight years on Dorset County Council.

During her time in local government she worked tirelessly to promote housing and building projects across the borough, including the Bournemouth International Centre and Littledown Sports Centre.

She lived for many years in Norton Road, with her husband Ian and four children.

Her son Don, since May a Bournemouth Councillor himself, said: "I was very much inspired by her example to get involved in politics and try and make Bournemouth a better place.

"She was brilliant at finding the best way forward and keeping things calm, smoothing over troubled waters both in politics and at home.

"She was a woman of many talents, an amazing mum, she was always there for us and always encouraging us to make the most of our lives."

Born into a poor family in London in 1930, Mrs McQueen trained as a teacher at Homerton College in Cambridge, and moved to Bournemouth to teach at Kinson School.

There she met and married Ian, a lawyer, and eventually left her career to raise a growing family.

It was her husband who suggested she get into politics, and she followed his advice and joined the Conservative Party, despite her father's dedication to socialism.

Many former councillors turned out to pay their respects at her funeral service last week.

Fellow councillor David Trenchard said: "Sheila was known to exercise her own judgement and did vote against the whip on occasions, gaining the nickname 'Red Sheila' among a few of her colleagues.

"Her contributions to any debate were always very carefully thought out, well researched and when she spoke it was clearly and with authority. People always listened.

"As a ward councillor she listened to the people she represented, and took up with great vigour those cases where a constituent really needed her help."

Mrs McQueen was a great enthusiast for bridge and painting watercolours, and was involved with a variety of community groups. She was also a strong Christian.

Her husband died in 2011. Two years later she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which led to her death.

An obituary was featured in Friday's paper (JUL 24) and on the Daily Echo website.