TRIBUTES have been paid to former Darlington mayor Stella Robson, who has died after a short illness.

On Saturday, July 25, the 80-year-old veteran councillor passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.

Born in Leeds in 1935, Mrs Robson was the wife of another Darlington mayor, Frank Robson, who died in 2011 at the age of 87.

As councillor with an avid interest in equality issues, she served both Durham and Darlington, where she was a supporter and long time member of the Family Help Board and a member of the Darlington Housing Association.

Ada Burns, Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Stella was a person of conviction, compassion and wide ranging political and cultural interests.

“I know that she made a wider contribution to the cultural life of the region too that will be lasting.”

Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, also paid tribute.

He said: “I knew Stella for many years and her enthusiasm was inspirational.

“She was passionate about the arts, museums, and libraries and truly relished her time as Chair of Northern Arts and being a part of the National Museum Council.”

A tireless supporter of the arts, Mrs Robson was appointed Chair of Northern Arts Council in 1990 and served until 1998, when she became Chair of the Northern Sinfonia. That year she was also appointed by the Arts Council of England, where she chaired the Arts & Disability Monitoring Committee.

Later, she became a Board Member of North Music Trust, the organisation formed to run Sage Gateshead and that is responsible for musical activities across the region.

Ros Rigby, Performance Programme Director for Sage Gateshead, said: “I was privileged to visit Stella just a few weeks ago and found her, although frail, as full of humour as ever, and still interested to hear all about the latest goings-on in the region’s cultural world.

“She gave so much to it and will be very much missed.”

A funeral service to celebrate Stella Robson’s life will be held at Darlington Crematorium on Monday (August 3) at 2.15pm.

People are asked to wear bright colours to acknowledge Mrs Robson’s cheerful attitude to life.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be left at the Crematorium for St. Teresa’s Hospice.