Friends of a former Brentwood mayor and Lib Dem councillor have paid tribute after her death last week.

Margaret Hogan, of Rose Valley, Brentwood, died on Friday, aged 80, after a short illness.

Originally from Ipswich, she moved to Brentwood when she married. She ran a lampshade business with her husband in Shenfield.

Margaret was also an organist at Holy Cross and All Saints RC Church, and was a benefactor to Brentwood’s Larkin’s Playing Fields.

She was a councillor for the Brentwood South ward between 1991 and 2003 and was Mayor of Brentwood from 1998 to 99.

Her colleagues said she was popular and was a very hardworking councillor.

Anne Long, another former Brentwood mayor when Margaret was deputy mayor, said: “She was a joy to work with and we had many laughs together during my year. She was also a great friend.”

Cllr Ross Carter, chairman of the Brentwood and Ongar Liberal Democrats, said: “Margaret was highly regarded both within her ward, Brentwood South, which she served for 12 years, as an extremely effective and dedicated borough councillor, and within the wider borough, which she served as mayor with dignity and the commitment and energy that were the hallmarks of her character.

“Margaret loved the part of Brentwood surrounding Shenfield Common and Rose Valley and fought constantly to protect it. Her passion and commitment to her locality was second to none.

“Brentwood and Ongar Liberal Democrats will remember Margaret as a tireless, committed Liberal Democrat, a strong voice for the borough in which she lived and ran a small business, as a positive and determined character who always had a spring in her step and her approach to life. She will remain an inspiration to us all.”

Cllr David Kendall, group leader, said: “Margaret will be missed by her party colleagues and the people in the community whose lives she touched in her time as councillor, mayor and resident.”

Cllr Louise McKinlay, leader of Brentwood Council, said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the work that Margaret Hogan did for local residents during her time on Brentwood Council. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”