Councillors will live on in things they did for town (From Cotswold Journal)

Councillors will live on in things they did for town

2:00pm Sunday 13th January 2013 in News

THE family and friends of two Pershore stalwarts have paid warm tributes to them, saying they will live on through the legacies they have left behind in the town.

The unexpected deaths of former Pershore mayor Marion Freeman and serving town councillor Dave Shaw have both caused shock and great sadness to their family and friends.

Mrs Freeman, who dedicated much of her time to the town’s heritage centre among other community work, died on December 28 aged 78 after suffering a heart attack.

Her daughter said her mum would be greatly missed by her husband Ken, two children and three grandchildren, but would be remembered for her work with Pershore Operatic Dramatic Society and the town heritage centre and for her time as mayor in 1999.

Christine Yallop said: “When we moved to Pershore she fell in love with it. Her impact was a quiet one. She created an impact and a legacy. She enjoyed her time as mayor. Ken was her consort. He was very proud of her. We are all very proud of her.”

During her life Mrs Freeman penned seven books about her beloved town including her first, titled Pershore, in 1997.

Another of her achievements was to set up the Pershore Plum Festival alongside Dave Shaw, another well-known town man who died suddenly on Saturday aged 64 of a brain haemorrhage.

Jan Shaw said: “He was with his daughter doing what he wanted and it was very quick.

He loved Pershore. You couldn’t walk 10 yards without him being stopped by people. He was very much a people person.”

Mr Shaw, who leaves behind six sons and a daughter, and seven grandchildren, was also involved with the Vale Landscape Heritage Trust and the preservation of apple trees in Pershore.

Pershore Mayor Charles Tucker said: “Although we have lost Marion we have the legacy of her books.

“Although she will be missed there is no way she will be forgotten.

Dave has been a stalwart councillor for so many years, he was involved in so many things. They will be very much missed.”

Town councillor Val Wood added: “They have been part of Pershore life for as long as I can remember.

“I regard them as part of my life. I shall miss them both desperately.”

The funeral for Mrs Freeman will be held at Pershore Abbey tomorrow, January 14, at noon.

A date for the funeral of Mr Shaw has not yet been announced.