THE?death took place on September 26 of an active supporter of the community in?Hatherleigh and beyond.

Denise Herrod Taylor, aged 86, died peacefully, and was cremated at Exeter at a private family service.

Mrs Herrod Taylor moved to Devon from Devizes in 1987 and became heavily involved in local affairs, despite the demands of caring for her disabled husband.

She became a borough councillor for West Devon and later deputy mayor. She was also an active town councillor in Hatherleigh after she moved there in 1990.

Her experience in running a dairy farm with her husband helped her empathise with the problems of local dairy farmers and she was vocal in their support through the BSE blockade by France, appearing on national and French TV; the difficult days of the foot and mouth crisis and the threats to farmers when Hatherleigh market and abbatoir were put at risk by demanding government regulations.

She was very concerned with the problems of young people in Hatherleigh and worked hard to establish the skate park.

As a churchwarden she was active in the local community and helped support the parish through several changes. She was always happy to lend a supporting hand or ear.

West Devon borough councillor Dennis Bater said: 'I served with Denise on Hatherleigh Town Council and on the borough council when she represented the neighbouring ward of Exbourne.

'She was a very dedicated person and really put her heart and soul into it. She did everything she could possibly do to help the people she represented. Denise was a very nice person to work alongside and I am very sorry to hear that she has passed away.

'She has suffered quite a lot recently from ill health and was in the nursing home at Hatherleigh that she saw built and where I am sure she was cared for very well.'

Mrs Herrod Taylor is survived by six children, 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

There will be a memorial service at Hatherleigh Parish Church on October 30 at 12.30pm to which all friends and former colleagues are invited. No flowers please, donations to charity will be received at the church.