A POPULAR former Mayor of Dudley and ex-councillor for Brierley Hill has passed away from coronavirus.

Margaret Wilson, who was Mayor of Dudley from 2002-2003, and a long-serving Labour councillor for Brierley Hill died on February 4 at Comberton Nursing Home,
Stourbridge, after losing her battle with Covid-19.

She was 89.

Margaret owned a shop in Brierley Hill called Delph Stores with her husband Ken Wilson from 1963 and later in 1992 she started to work for Dudley Council after the death of her husband who was also a Labour councillor for 24 years.

Paying tribute to her, her granddaughter Sally Lucas said: "She was a lovely popular lady, always smiling.

"Margaret did the community proud, dedicated to the people and helped so many families in the Dudley borough.

"Unfortunately, she died in a nursing home and the family wasn't all able to be there by her side.

"Margaret will be sadly missed by us all. Her memories will live on."

The former stalwart councillor had retired from Dudley's council chamber in 2016 after more than 24 years.

Councillor Patrick Harley, current Conservative leader of the authority, said at the time that she was "well-respected and loved by all sides" and her retirement was a "loss to this chamber".

Current Mayor of Dudley, Conservative councillor David Stanley, paid tribute to his former council colleague after hearing news of her death.

He said: “I was saddened to hear of the passing of former councillor Margaret Wilson, who served on the council with distinction for nearly 25 years.

“I built up quite a close relationship with Margaret through our time together on the planning committee.

“She was also a very popular Mayor of Dudley in 2002/03.

“Although we sat on opposite sides of the chamber, I always respected her forthright views and determination to do the best for the residents in her ward.

“Margaret will be sadly missed by all of us, and at this time my thoughts are with her immediate family.”

Margaret leaves a daughter Rona Lucas, four granddaughters Kelly, Emma, Sally, Nikki, and four great-grandchildren.

Margaret's funeral will take place on March 10 at St Michaels Church, Brierley Hill, at 2.30pm, followed by cremation at Stourbridge Crematorium at 3.30pm.