A FORMER mayoress of Tavistock and West Devon has died at Blackdown Nursing Home after suffering from a long illness ? she was aged 87. Elizabeth Margaret (Peggy) Philpott was born on June 5 1917 in Westborne Avenue, Gateshead. After the start of the second World War she enrolled in the Royal Navy and served in the Far East and Ceylon. There she met and married John who was serving in the Royal Marines. At the end of the war she moved with John to Tavistock where she became a well known and much loved member of the community. After the war, in addition to bringing up her two sons Trevor and Nigel, Peggy ran the office and administration of John Philpott Ltd, a respected plumbing and heating business. Later on she opened and ran the first laundrette in Tavistock. Peggy was a hard worker, supporting John?s position as station officer of Tavistock Fire Service and president of the Tavistock Branch of the Royal Marines Association. From 1973 to 1991 she supported John?s council and civic duties and was the Mayoress of Tavistock and West Devon Borough Councils. This period saw the twinning of Tavistock with Celle in 1977, followed by a demanding year celebrating the Queen?s Silver Jubilee. Through out her life she was involved with high levels of charitable work and fundraising, including RNLI. In 1989 Peggy established Tavistock?s Rotary Inner Wheel, becoming its first president. Peggy died on August 23. She is survived by her sons, grandsons Mark, Julian and Douglas, and great grandchildren Serena and Jack. The funeral is to be held at 11.30am on Friday, September 1 in Tavistock Parish Church.