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Daughter speaks of her 'pride' in mother's endeavours
THE daughter of Cllr Jean Smith, who died last week, says she was "extremely proud" of her mother's contribution to the local community.
Cllr Smith, who was app-roaching her 74th birthday, died overnight on Wednesday-Thurs-day at home in Winterhay Lane, Ilminster - just a few hours after attending a meeting of South Somerset District Council's Area West committee.
Daughter Pauline Beviss told the News: "I am extremely proud of my mum and what she did for the community. She was tireless in her endeavours."
Cllr Smith was first elected to Chard Town Council in May 1995 for Crimchard ward along with Cllrs Jill Shortland and Anita Harris.
She was quickly installed as chairman of the Guildhall and tourism committee and was a key figure in the Guildhall's development which coincided with her three-year tenure as Mayor of Chard from1999-2002.
In May 2003 she was elected to the district council for Crimchard ward where she narrowly beat Conservative candidate Jimmy Evans by 22 votes.
Cllr Smith was born Jean Sawyer in April 1934 in Win-sham and went to school locally. She had a brother, Winston, who was killed when he was only 17.
She married in 1955 after meeting her husband-to-be, John Smith, who served with the RAF for 22 years, while undergoing nursing training at Mus-grove Park Hospital in Taunton.
Nursing became her life and she eventually retired as a community nurse co-ordinator.
They moved around the country before returning to Chard in 1963 and lived at Crimchard House before Cllr Mrs Smith moved to Ilminster in 2003 after the death of her husband.
The couple had three children - sons Philip and Chris and daughter Pauline - and seven grandchildren.
It was Chris who discovered his mother's body at home on Thursday morning and the family had to wait several hours before breaking the news to Philip as he and his wife had only just emigrated to New Zealand at the beginning of the year.
There are no details yet as to when the funeral service for Cllr Smith will be held but the family know it will be well-attended by many people who will want to show their respects for someone who did so much for the local community.
9:08am Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: derek prior, chard on 3:20pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Jean and John invited my wife and I to tea when we first moved to CHARD 12yrs ago as we were the only residents on a new development.She was a very caring person and will be sadly missed.
Jean and John invited my wife and I to tea when we first moved to CHARD 12yrs ago as we were the only residents on a new development.She was a very caring person and will be sadly missed.
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