Tributes paid to 'lovely' former Dudley mayor after Covid-19 death
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved councillor and former mayor of Dudley who has lost her fight against Covid-19.
Margaret Wilson served as a councillor on Dudley Council for 24 years – and was mayor of the borough between 2002 to 2003.
She died on February 4, aged 89, at Comberton Nursing Home in Stourbridge after testing positive for the virus on January 31.
Now her family – as well as councillors – have paid tribute to the "lovely, popular lady" who was proud to serve her community.
Sally Lucas, one of Margaret's granddaughters, said: "She worked for the council for many years and she was never a complainer – that's what was fabulous about nan.
"Even when she was in the nursing home she never complained and she was always smiling – and had a lot to talk about.
"She was very close with her daughter and they would talk for many hours on the phone.
"Nan put everyone first even when she worked for the council – even the smallest things she would help people with. Being a councillor was her passion.
"She held surgeries in Brierley Hill and anyone could turn up – even if they had the smallest problem, she would always try to help them out."
Margaret had one daughter, Rona Lucas, four grandchildren – Kelly, Emma, Sally and Nikki – and four great-grandchildren.
She had served as a councillor on Dudley Council for 24 years representing people in Brierley Hill. She became the mayor of the borough between 2002 to 2003.
Inspiration
The 89-year-old, who had heart failure, had received her first Covid-19 vaccine jab on January 19 but later showed symptoms of Covid-19 and tested positive on January 31. She died on February 4.
Sally added: "Margaret worked hard all her life and owned her own shop, Delph Stores, with her husband Ken Wilson from 1963. She was a lovely, popular lady always smiling.
"She started to work for Dudley Council in 1992 after the passing of her husband who was also a Labour councillor for 24 years.
"Margaret did the community proud – she was dedicated to the people and helped so many families in the Dudley borough – Margaret will be sadly missed by us all. Her memories will live on."
Councillor Adam Aston, who represents Upper Gornal and Woodsetton on Dudley Council, said: "I grew up knowing Margaret – my mother has been a councillor for many years, so they kind of served together.
"As a child I remember Margaret being a councillor in Brierley Hill and especially her mayoral year. She was someone who served her constituents with dignity, compassion, and she had an incredible sense of humour.
"She was Labour to the core and certainly will be remembered by me, and my generation of councillors, as an inspiration."
Her funeral will be held on March 10 at 2.30pm at St Michael's Church in Brierley Hill followed by Stourbridge Crematorium at 3.30pm. Bagpipes will be played at Rona Lucas' house and outside both the church and the crematorium.
