Mary Maxwell, a stalwart of Cowdenbeath, has died at the age of 76.
Mrs Maxwell fell ill shortly after the death of her former Fife councillor husband Alex less than three months ago. She died on Thursday at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline.
In March Mrs Maxwell was given an unsung hero award by Fife Constabulary in recognition of her work in the community and in 2006 she was named Cowdenbeath Citizen of the Year.
Born and brought up in Methil, she married Alex, her second husband, 25 years ago after the couple met working for the National Coal Board in Cowdenbeath. They lived on Church Street, just yards from where the board’s workshops were.
Mrs Maxwell was a leading figure in the town’s civic week committee for more than 30 years and organised the Christmas lights switch-on.
She also served on the community council for many years, holding the post of treasurer until five years ago.
Tribute was paid to her by Cowdenbeath Community Council chairman Alex Haddow, who knew her for almost 30 years, and Fife Council leader Councillor Alex Rowley.
Mr Haddow said: “Cowdenbeath has lost its unsung hero. It will be a sad place without Mary Maxwell.
“Mary’s worst point, if she had one, was she didn’t know how to say no. You just had to mention something to her and she would volunteer to do it.”
Mr Rowley said: “The news of Mary’s death so soon after Alex passing has shocked and saddened so many people who have known and worked with Mary over the years.
“She was truly a remarkable, kind and caring person who was committed to working for the community of Cowdenbeath and would have helped anyone who needed help.”
In her latter years Mrs Maxwell looked after both her husband and father, John Brown, who died three years ago aged 100. She was a keen line dancer and a Scottish country music fan.
She leaves behind her stepsons Gordon and Neil and four grandchildren.