A fuller tribute is printed in this week’s Herald.
Yesterday was the funeral at St Helen’s Church of Penny McDougall – an Abingdon-on-Thames town councillor, who died unexpectedly just over a week ago. These pictures were at last year’s bun throwing.
Penny was described as a dedicated mum, and grandmother, who for two years became a councillor and dedicated some of her great energies to improving Abingdon – in which role she was described as a breath of fresh air.
At the funeral her youngest son read a poem which his mum had chosen …
…Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish…
Author Unknown
I had no idea Penny had passed away.
Penny rented a room from me for a year or so inbetween her trips to the coast to her holiday home.
Penny was a lovely, caring and genuine individual who always had an ear to listen and knew the right things to say to make a situation better.
She doted on her sons and my regards go to them and hope that they support eachother through this tough time.
It was nice to see such a good turnout at her funeral and I hope it was of at least some comfort to her family that so many of us wanted to show their respects.
I knew Penny through her role as a town councillor and was her agent when she was elected.
She was a genuinely caring person who loved Abingdon and helped many local residents with their problems.
She will be missed.
I only got to know Penny when she was elected on to the town council two years ago, but she quickly became a friend and I will miss her.
Penny impressed me with the enthusiasm with which she took on her new role, and her willingness to roll up her sleeves and get on with any and all the behind-the scenes jobs councillors are asked to do. She worked hard and quickly gained the respect of her colleagues and the residents who sought her help. She is a sad loss to the town council.
As the UKIP candidate for South Abingdon I have found the electorate I have spoken with are very supportive of our message that, UKIP stands for bringing power back where it belongs – with the people. We beleave that local councils be more responsive to local people,and less in thrall to central goverment. Elected councillors should put their communities first, not party politics. Important local issues should be put to binding referenda.Councils, should exist to serve the communities, not just spend their money.
Thank you for your kind words and to those who attended my mothers funeral. Today was the conclusion of the inquest into her death. We miss her and will always mis her