TRIBUTES to a woman who served as mayoress of Ripon three times have been led by the city's present mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin.
A funeral service was held at Ripon Cathedral yesterday for Sheila Medley, who was 68, and died in hospital after being taken ill a few weeks ago.
She was a long-term partner of the late Councillor Rowland Simpson, and achieved the remarkable hat-trick of becoming mayoress for the third time during the 2003-4 civic year, when Councillor David Parnaby was mayor.
She twice became mayoress for Coun Simpson, in the eighties.
Coun Martin, who along with his mayoress wife, April, attended the service, wearing the civic chains as a mark of respect, said: "Sheila knew all about the history and tradition of the city and was always there to help and guide people.
"She was certainly a big help to me when I became mayor."
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