TRIBUTES have been paid to former councillor Betty Fox Hodges who worked tirelessly to improve education and facilities in Christchurch’s Grange ward.

Betty, who was first elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Burton Grange in 1997, has been credited with helping to improve standards at the Grange School.

Her friend and colleague Cllr Peter Hall, who was elected to Dorset County Council at the same time, said: “She was very passionate about improving her ward.

“She put a lot of time and effort into helping the Grange School get better, which she was really passionate about.

“She made education a priority but also worked to improve the facilities for people in the Grange ward. She did make a difference to people there. It was a deprived area and she was determined to change it.”

Betty was also a parish councillor for Burton and looked after her disabled husband John for many years.

“She was bubbly and determined, she wanted to succeed,” said Cllr Hall.

“Being a carer she knew what people wanted and what facilities they needed.”

County councillor Trevor Jones added: “Betty was a remarkable lady, forthright in her views and unwavering in her politics and public life.

“She fought for the disadvantaged and vulnerable and anyone who needed support to help them live a fulfilled life.

“Many of us will not forget her for a long time, if ever. Even when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she still kept as cheerful as it’s possible to be under such circumstances.”

Betty overcame difficulties in her life to bring up two young children single-handedly and helped campaign for a refuge for abused wives. She also worked to improve the lot of single mothers with the Gingerbread group.

During the 1990s, Betty and her husband John set up a new Bournemouth branch of the Association of Retired Persons Over 50, which she hoped would enable retired people to make friends.

The friendship centre quickly grew and soon had more than 1,200 members in an area covering Poole to Lymington.

Betty lost her council seat in 2009 but said she believed she had left behind a legacy of improvement on the Somerford estate and in the schools.