Many members of the Family, along with friends and fellow councillors paid their respects to the late Kathleen Mary Little, as she was laid to rest at St Pius X Church on Chelmsford Avenue, followed by a committal at Grimsby Crematorium

Mary, who was the Liberal Democrat councillor for Grimsby’s Yarborough ward died suddenly at her home, in Cambridge Road, Grimsby, on January 14.

Among those present were North East Lincolnshire Council leader Andrew De Freitas, the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Coun Colin Eastwell, and a host of ward councillors, including myself

The service was conducted by Father James Earley

Mary’s sons, Tim and Richard, and grandsons, Carlton and Lewis, were in attendance at the funeral, and Richard gave a eulogy.

“We are all devastated by the sudden loss of our mother,” he said

“Tim and I are thankful to have loved and known her

“She always strove to do the best she could and with much sacrifice

“She was particularly proud of what we achieved

“She worked to do the best that she could for her ward and for the wider community and she made her mark.”

Fr Earley added: “We give our praise and thanks to God for the gift that was Mary.”

Afterwards, the there was a celebration Mrs Little’s life at the Fisherman’s Arms in Cleethorpes

Friend and fellow councillor Norma Lincoln said afterwards: “It was a wonderful service and Mary would have been very proud to see all those people there. The ceremony was befitting of Mary.”

Coun Doug Pickett added: “It was a fitting tribute to a fabulous lady and she will be sadly missed.”

Many members of the ward attended the funeral to pay their respects to Mary, who will be sadly missed.

It has been a privilege to work alongside Mary in the Yarborough Ward. Mary has been a tremendous help and support to me since I became a councillor, and she will be sadly missed. I hope that those of us who now have the job to carry on in North East Lincolnshire and the Yarborough Ward can maintain the high standards that Mary has set for us.