Councillor never let illness stop her - colleagues

Jeanette Walker had "steadfast principles", according to her fellow councillors

Long-term illness "never held back" a councillor who devoted herself to her community for decades, colleagues have said.

The death of popular Middlesbrough councillor Jeanette Walker was publicly announced by her best friend and fellow ward councillor Nicky Walker on Saturday.

Councillor Walker, who represented Hemlington's residents on Middlesbrough Council for 17 years, died on Friday.

Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, paid tribute to her "dedication, warmth and empathy", adding: "She was passionate about Hemlington and Hemlington was proud and passionate about her."

He said the late councillor had championed "countless" community organisations, adding: "Jeanette served our community for almost two decades with a genuine devotion and joy.

"Jeanette refused to let long-term illness hold her back from delivering for our people."

Nicky Walker said she had worked together with her friend for so long that the campaigning pair of councillors had been dubbed "the Walker sisters".

"Jeanette worked so hard for us all throughout her battle with cancer, right up to the end," she said. adding: "We weren't actually blood sisters, but I do think we were sisters in our hearts."

Acklam councillor Luke Henman said his fellow Labour councillor had steadfast principles, loved the town and "was always there championing our people".

In a post on social media, he said: "Jeanette is an inspiration to me, a model of putting public service first, of compassion and decency and humour.

"She will be such a huge loss."