Tributes pour in for "one of a kind" former East Renfrewshire provost Betty Cunningham
She sadly passed away at the age of 79, it was confirmed.
Tributes have poured in for a former East Renfrewshire provost – described as 'one of a kind' and a 'determined champion' – after she sadly passed away.
Labour councillor and past provost Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE died aged 79, it was confirmed. She had served her constituents faithfully in Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for 26 years.
And her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards.
Books of condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood headquarters for members of the public to pay their respects.
Betty was first elected in 1999 and was provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen in the 2011 New Year's Honours List for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi.
Betty had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity – the Betty Cunningham International Trust – which built a health clinic and nursery schools.
Paying tribute, West Scotland Labour MSP Paul O'Kane described Betty as a 'dear friend'.
He said: 'Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE was Barrhead through and through. She loved the bones and the stones of this place, and she was immensely proud to represent it on the council for over two decades.
'As provost, she represented East Renfrewshire across the country and worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the provost came to officiate at an event.
'She raised thousands of pounds for charities, from supporting talented young musicians locally to local churches, hospices and, of course, her beloved Malawi.
'She was fiercely political and fiercely Labour – standing up for working people was in her DNA. On a personal level, she was my political mammy and a dear friend.
'For all the times she chided me, or we had our disagreements, there were countless more examples of her kindness and generosity to me and my family.
'She was one of a kind – from the foot of the town to receiving her OBE from the late Queen at the palace, she was always Betty. I will miss her terribly. May she rest in peace.'
Provost Mary Montague, who signed the book of condolence in Barrhead, added: 'Betty's death is a sad loss to her family, colleagues, staff and many people locally and far and wide.
'Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire.
'She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it.
'Betty was a paradox of fiercely not pulling her punches when necessary to a woman of incredible empathy, compassion and love for fellow human beings. My condolences and my heart go out to Betty's family whom she loved with a passion and I hope they see, from the hundreds of lovely messages on social media, just how much Betty was appreciated and the extent of her legacy of public service.'
Council leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the book of condolence at the council's Eastwood HQ, said: 'Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi.
'This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together.
'My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. Betty will remain an inspiration for us all.'
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