Cllr Diana Friend, Poulton North councillor since 2016, has sadly passed away.
A retired teacher, Cllr Friend was a lifelong Warrington resident who was, alongside her borough council responsibilities, a member of a number of council committees, most notably serving as chair of the Protecting the Most Vulnerable Policy Committee.
She also represented the council on outside bodies including the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education and the Warrington Church of England Educational Trust.
Latterly, Cllr Friend served as Deputy Mayor’s Consort for 2022/23, alongside Deputy Mayor, fellow Poulton North councillor and husband Cllr Graham Friend, who she married in 2017, after the pair met through their local political work.
Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Jean Flaherty, led tributes to Cllr Friend’s devoted service to her communities.
Cllr Flaherty said: “Diana was a loyal, supremely committed, fearless and well-respected councillor who did so much good work for our town, and it is with a truly heavy heart that I share the news of her passing.
“She will be remembered for her excellent work in her local community, her good humour and can-do attitude. She will be sorely missed by all those who knew her.
“Our thoughts are with Cllr Graham Friend and the rest of Diana’s family and friends.”
