MAYOR of Monmouth, Drop It To 40!

Campaigner, British Heart foundation fund-raiser and chairman of the Monmouth Partner-ship Against Crime - just some of the roles undertaken by Councillor Eileen Goodrich, who died on Sunday night from leukaemia.

Tributes have since poured in for the 73-year-old who was awarded an MBE in June.

Eileen and her husband Terry moved to Monmouth in 1988 and soon became involved with the community and served for 13 years on Monmouth Town Council. She served as mayor of the town in 1999-2000. In May of last year, Eileen achieved a personal ambition in becoming a Monmouthshire county councillor for the Dixton with Osbaston ward and sat on the council's Select Com-mittee for Environment.

The leader of the council Andrew Crump said: "As well as being an astute politician, Eileen was a well-loved and well respected member of our council. Until her last days she worked extremely hard for the people of the county."

Eileen worked in many supportive roles within Monmouthshire including acting as a trustee for two childrens' charities, the Senses Trust and St Briavels Child Development Centre.

She also helped forge Japanese friendship links with the town and was chairman of North Gwent Police Liaison Group.

The Chief Executive of the council, Colin Berg said: "Eileen brought a great deal of energy, creativity and enthusiasm and made a significant impact on the work of the council. We'll all miss her greatly."

In June this year, Councillor Eileen Goodrich was awarded with an MBE for her efforts serving the community in Mon-mouthshire.

Cllr Goodrich explained at the time she had been raising money for good causes ever since she was seven-years-old.

Simon Boyle, the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent said: "I've met Eileen on several occasions and I know that she was too ill to receive her MBE at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

"We rearranged a ceremony locally to enable her to receive the award in the new year and I am still hoping to be able to present the award posthumously to her family."

At Monday's meeting of Monmouth Town Council members held a one minute silence as a mark of respect.

The present mayor, Cllr Sue Chivers said: "The town council was surprised and saddened to hear of Cllr Goodrich's death.

"Members who had served with her in the past were complimentary in their recollections of her time on the council. The town council also sends condolences to the family."

Eileen leaves husband Terry, three children, Deborah, Nicholas and Alfie and six grandchildren.

A memorial service is being planned for St Mary's Priory Church followed by a natural burial at Usk.