Former Lyme Regis mayor Barbara Austin dies in hospital (From Dorset Echo)

Former Lyme Regis mayor Barbara Austin dies in hospital

3:00pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News

TRIBUTES have poured in for former Lyme Regis Mayor and community champion Barbara Austin who died suddenly.

The six-times mayor and mother-of-five passed away in hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning, aged 80.

Mrs Austin, the unofficial First Lady of Lyme Regis, was also deputy mayor three times and remained a town councillor, while also volunteering for dozens of community groups.

Mrs Austin gave a lifetime of service to the community and was honoured for her tireless work with an MBE.

She was born, married and lived and worked in Lyme Regis all her life.

Mrs Austin battled ill-health for several years and passed away at the Dorset County Hospital following a lung infection.

She remained dedicated to the community until the end, most recently as secretary and treasurer of the Over 70s Christmas Lunch and chairman and secretary of the Christmas Lights Committee.

Son Richard said: “People are aware of how much effort and endeavour she put into the community, but maybe some of them don’t know how much she put into her family.

“She really was the centre of the family.”

Mayor Sally Holman added: “The loss to the council of Barbara’s long experience and wise counsel will be keenly felt.

“She will be missed and fondly remembered by a great many people for her work in the community and for always putting the interests of Lyme Regis first.”