Former mayor, Margaret White has been remembered as an ‘honourable’ and ‘diligent’ member of the community following her death last month.
Margaret became a Labour town councillor in the 1990s, which she continued after her retirement, becoming mayor of Melksham (2005 to 2007) and later a Wiltshire County Councillor. In these roles she has been described as always fighting for and having the best interests of Melksham residents.
“She was part of the proud record of female mayors that Melksham Town has,” explained Cllr Adrienne Westbrook. “I had the pleasure of being her deputy for two of those occasions. She was diligent, she was honourable, and she always put Melksham at the heart of everything she did.”
Born in Harefield, Uxbridge, in 1940, Margaret moved to Melksham with her husband Robert (Bob) White and their four children in 1967 for his work as a site foreman building the Blackmore Road Estate.
She was well known locally as the Melksham Hospital office manager from the mid-70s and also the local Unison representative.
Margaret’s friend Terry Welch, said, “Margaret was a lady of strong principles who was never slow to stand up for the underdog. Having her as a councillor and then as our mayor showed people that they mattered and were well represented.
“Her family was very important to her and she was lucky to have them live close to her. Melksham should be proud to have been represented by such a strong lady of principle.”
