TWO former Okehampton mayors have paid tribute to a former town mayor and hard working member of the community, following her death earlier this year.

Joan Evelyn Pauley was mayor of the town twice, firstly in 1985 and again in 1995.

Okehampton town councillor Christine Marsh said: 'Joan was a feisty lady. She was my neighbour, and in many ways she was my mentor.

'She was always giving me advice on how to be a better councillor, and she supported me throughout my early days on the council.

'She was a big part of life in Okehampton, having taught three generations or more at Okehampton Primary.

'She was a very kind and generous person, too. In her time at the Red Cross, she was always giving lifts to people to the hospital, whether for appointments or to see loved ones.

'Her pet dogs were old guide dogs who needed looking after once their owners had passed away or they were too old to be guide dogs, and this caring nature showed what she was like.'

Former Okehampton mayor Ray Vallance became mayor in 1996, the year after Joan's second term.

He said: 'The one thing I found and remember clearly now when working with Joan was that if you were in a council meeting and didn't see eye to eye on an issue, she never bore any malice about it.

'You could have a discussion about something and disagree, but the next time you saw her the disagreement would be forgotten. It doesn't always work like that when on a council, but with Joan it always was. She was very very good to get on with.'

Miss Pauley was born in Bourneville, Birmingham, and attended King's Norton Grammar School. Upon leaving she went to the Diocesan Training College to do a teacher training course.

She came to Okehampton Primary School in 1948 and remained there as a teacher there for 41 years. A senior mistress at the school, she had offers for promotion elsewhere but preferred to stay in the town.

She joined Okehampton Town Council in 1972 as an Independent member.

In 1976 she was mayoress to the first woman mayor, Mrs Margaret Nash. Her first term as mayor followed in 1985.

She was the British Red Cross welfare officer and centre organiser for Okehampton and District, and a founder member and president of the League of Friends for Okehampton Hospital, staying on the committee for 41 years from 1964 to 2005.

She was also a long standing member of Okehampton and District Ladies' Probus and Okehampton Friendly Circle.

As well as these duties she lobbied for stricter measures on traffic speed, the retention of the old Market Hall, ensuring the cleanliness of public toilets and other issues affecting the community.

She died on August 29 2011 at Kernow House in Launceston, aged 82.