An ambassador for Croydon and champion of people's causes were among the tributes paid to councillor Mary Walker The former Labour council leader and mayor died last Wednesday just days before her 65th birthday after a short period of illness.

Her father-in-law, Jim Walker, now 91, remains a councillor for Fieldway.

She will be remembered for her deep sense of social justice and for putting people at the forefront of politics.

Born in Swansea, south Wales, in 1940, she was brought up in a Methodist family.

She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went on to Leeds University to do a history degree. While at the university she was senior vice-president of the students' union.

Coun Walker went on to work as a teacher and later as a press officer for the National Union of Students and the National Union of Teachers.

A mum to two grown-up children, Liam and Rowenna, she had served on Croydon Council since 1973. Firstly representing Addiscombe and since 1978 the Fieldway ward.

For eight years she was leader of the opposition a group which at one time only had five members.

In 1994 she became leader of the first Labour council in Croydon.

Her passion for politics and for promoting Croydon won her many admirers and she was respected by politicians on both sides of the council chamber.

Council leader Tony Newman said: "It is no exaggeration to say that Mary Walker devoted her whole life to helping others and, in so doing, earned widespread respect and admiration.

"She was always immensely approachable with a strong sense of social justice.

"Members from all sides of the council chamber and staff who worked closely with her during her years as leader have been deeply saddened by her untimely death but will remember her with great affection."

Coun Walker served as mayor in 2000 raising more than £32,000 for children's charity Barnardo's. And in 2001 she was awarded an OBE for her community work and her part in driving the Tramlink project forward.

On top of her heavy workload she also found time to serve as a governor of Croydon College and Castle Hill School and was a former chairman of governors at Tunstall Nursery School.

For 10 years she was involved with Fairfield Halls as well as a number of other political groups.

A funeral service will be held at Croydon Parish Church at 2.15pm on Friday.