TRIBUTES have been paid to a Reading councillor who died at the weekend.
Colette Dennis was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford last week after suddenly being taken ill.
The 60-year-old was initially taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Wednesday, June 9, before being transferred.
Cllr Dennis was the wife of deputy mayor, Cllr Glenn Dennis, and had two sons and two grandchildren.
First elected to represent Norcot ward in May last year, she was re-elected in last month’s local elections.
This was the second time she has held the role of deputy mayoress, as her husband had previously served as deputy mayor in the municipal year 2017-18.
Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council and Reading Labour, said the thoughts of everybody at the Council are with her husband, her family and her close friends.
“Colette was not only a colleague, but a friend. Her unexpected and untimely passing will be felt very deeply in the Labour Group, across the Chamber, and across the whole Council,” he said.
“She was passionate about her ward and a real champion for her local community in Norcot. Colette was a regular at the Mission Church lunch club, Dee Caf, and the Oaktree Care Home. She was a great advocate for more community activities and resources in Dee Park, working hard with partners to secure benefits for residents.
“On the Council, Colette was an important member of many committees and forums and showed a particular interest in helping to improve the lives of those who faced challenges and experienced inequities in our town.
“My own thoughts, and the thoughts of everyone at the Council, are with Glenn and the family.
“We will, of course, do all we can to support them at this impossibly sad time.”
In a statement, Reading Borough Council said it intends to announce further arrangements when they have been confirmed by the family.
