TRIBUTES have been paid to former Teignbridge Council chairman Maggie Stanton who died aged 92.

The respected and much-loved community figure had been suffering from dementia and died peacefully at a nursing home in Exeter.

Marjorie – known as Maggie – was born in Cornwall in 1924 and joined the women’s voluntary service at the beginning of the Second World War.

She moved to the Women’s Royal Navy Service where she was awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal for her efforts as a minesweeper.

In 1944 she married Cecil, in Plymouth, and moved to Ipplepen some 20 years later.

She settled into village life, working as a sub post mistress before standing in the district council elections as an Independent which, to her surprise, she won the seat.

Maggie had several key roles in the council before becoming chairman from 1988 until 1990.

Fellow Independent councillor Mike Haines, who joined Teignbridge in 1987 when Maggie was chairman of the policy and resources committee, had nothing but good things to say.

‘I have got fond memories of Maggie and always found her to be very helpful and supportive.

‘She was such a lovely lady and was always prepared to stand up and say what she felt,’ he said.

Mike’s best memory of Maggie was her impressive collection of different coloured hardhats she kept in her Forde House office.

He said she kept them so no matter what she was wearing, she would always have a hat to match her outfit.

Teignmouth Tory councillor Sylvia Russell said: ‘Maggie was a really good worker and councillor for the people she represented.

‘She was well respected and highly regarded.

‘She will be very sadly missed.’

After Maggie’s husband died, she retired from the council and devoted much of her time to pottering around in the garden.

Maggie’s son Francis said: ‘As a family we will never need a memorial stone for mum because during her time as chairman of Teignbridge she had many opportunities to lay foundation stones or open various new buildings or enterprises. So dotted all over Teignbridge are various plaques and marker stones with our mother’s name inscribed on them.’

During her retirement Maggie took up flying.

She ended up getting a bug for aviation and travelled all around the world, including China, Australia, Canada and America.

Francis said: ‘To say mum enjoyed her retirement would be an understatement.

‘She always enjoyed the company of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

‘We all just hope we can follow in her footsteps.’

Maggie died on February 9.

A funeral service is being held at East Devon Crematorium in Whimple, Exeter, on Wednesday, March 1.