TRIBUTES have been paid to former councillor Pat Colebrook, who has died suddenly at the age of 62.
She passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, surrounded by her family, after suffering a stoke.
Her death comes less than eight months after her husband and fellow Conservative councillor John died at the age of 75. Today her former colleagues on the council expressed their shock and sadness at the loss of a "great servant" and "caring person".
Councillor Steve Norton (Con, Humberston & New Waltham) said: "I was very close to both John and Pat and I kept in touch with Pat after John died. It is extremely sad that Pat has passed away so soon after John. She was a very good ward councillor and an active member of the group. She was a very caring person, which she demonstrated when she nursed John at home when he was ill.
"She was a very good mayoress when John was mayor. The community has lost a caring person."
Councillor Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham), who was best man at John and Pat's wedding, said: "Pat was always a good friend. As a councillor she was very hard-working in her ward. She was always very active in the community and I know a lot of people will miss her."
Councillor David Hornby (Con, Scartho), who worked alongside Pat in the Scartho ward, said: "It is a very sad loss. Working with Pat was an absolute pleasure. She was very committed as a councillor and she had a particular interest in children's issues, serving on the adoption panel, which she was passionate about. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her."
Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Peggy Elliott, said: "It is very sad news. Pat was quite a quiet lady who would always listen to your point of view."
Councillor Andrew De Freitas, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "I always found Pat very pleasant and not in the least political. In fact, you would not have thought she was involved in politics."
Council leader Chris Shaw said: "I always found Pat to be a personable person who took her council responsibilities seriously. It is very sad that she has passed away so soon after her husband. The area has lost yet another good servant."
Pat is survived by two daughters and six grandchildren.
Read more: Click Here