Elizabeth Hughes

Tributes have been paid to former Cambridge city and Cambridgeshire County Councillor Elizabeth Hughes following her death.

Mrs Hughes, of Minerva Way, King’s Hedges, died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Friday aged 71, following a battle with cancer.

Described as a ‘vibrant, generous and spirited campaigner’, Mrs Hughes took part in numerous community activities despite suffering with Parkinson’s Disease for the last 12 years of her life.

As well as being part of Arbury Orchestra , serving on the PTA committee of Manor School when it was threatened with closure and belonging to the local Parkinson’s Disease Support Group as publicity officer, Mrs Hughes served as a city councilor between 2002 and 2007, and as a county councilor from 2005 to 2009.

Cllr Lewis Herbert, leader of Cambridge’s Labour Group of which Mrs Hughes was a member, said: “She worked so hard for local people in King’s Hedges.

“Elizabeth also spoke out with passion on issues she was committed to, particularly the need for better housing provision and social care.

Former Cambridge MP Anne Campbell said: “I got to know Elizabeth in 1980 when we were both battling to save the Manor Community College from closure.

“Elizabeth was warm, generous and completely unselfish. She was passionate about the many causes she espoused and served her constituents in King’s Hedges with energy and distinction.

“She became a very dear friend. I saw her in hospital last week, when she was too weak to speak but managed to wave goodbye. She will be sorely missed by those she worked with and those she worked for.”

Ben Slade, principal at the Manor school, said “I have never met a more selfless person than Elizabeth. She has been a real source of inspiration to me as principal.

“She spoke out for the students and always made sure she was at the end of the phone during those dark and lonely times which all heads experience. She loved the students and cared about all of the staff.

“Elizabeth is a huge loss to this school and to the caring professions with which she has been associated all through her remarkable life.

“Lastly, I must point out, she would hate these eulogies with a passion. If she were here Elizabeth would say, ‘Stop worrying about me and get ready for Christmas.’”