FORMER Poole councillor and teacher Jane James has died at the age of 73.

Jane, born on April 9, 1944, began her career as a chemistry teacher but had to stop when she developed rheumatoid arthritis.

She was elected councillor for Merley and Bearwood in 1991. As reported in the Daily Echo three years later, Jane claimed she would never have been able to stand for office without the help of her Pramacare assistant, Nancy Bramley.

From her wheelchair perspective, Jane helped with the research and development of Poole Shopmobility and helped organise a giant raffle to raise around £30,000 for the scheme to make Poole town centre more accessible for people with mobility problems.

Jane later played an active part as Chair of Social Services, after Poole became a unitary authority. She stepped down in 2007 when her health made it too difficult to carry on.

According to her husband, Pip, her mind was still very active so she pursued several years of fascinating study for an Open University degree before that too became too much to complete.

“In the years that followed she kept smiling and delighted in watching her three grandchildren grow and develop; Kit, born to Sara and Phil, and Jamie and Laurie, born to Charis and Ben,” Pip said.

“With the help of her strong Christian faith, she battled on courageously until the wonderful holiday in North Yorks this summer when vascular dementia set in. Even that did not stop her, and the three months following she became lively and talkative, and developed an unexpected passion for shopping.”

However this last month, she developed a tumour and was unable to eat or drink.

Pip said: “During her final two weeks she was at rest and at peace, not suffering from any uncontrolled pain, lovingly attended in her room in Poole Hospital, overlooking her favourite harbour, island and the Purbeck hills. She looked radiant, and as Sara commented, 20 years younger. Not a sad end.”

Current Merley and Bearwood ward councillor David Brown paid tribute to Jane.

“Jane was well known in the community as the epitomy of a hardworking, dedicated ward councillor,” he said.

“I had the privilege of learning from her and standing in her place and have endeavoured to follow her example.”

He added: “She has left her mark on the local area, being active in protecting the Green Belt, delivering highway improvements and fighting for better youth and community facilities in the ward. She was instrumental in the creation of Bearwood Primary School during her tenure.”

Jane died on Saturday, December 16. A thanksgiving service will be held at Canford Magna Parish Church on Saturday.