The family of a long-serving Hillingdon Council worker have paid tribute to “the wisest person of all of us”.

Kathleen Cooke, who spent 25 years with the local authority and was married to Conservative councillor Tony Cooke, died at Hillingdon Hospital on Tuesday (February 17), surrounded by her family.

She had been battling various conditions for around two years, but finally succumbed to pneumonia, aged 82.

Her grandson, Dan Walsh, said: “She was a fighter. She battled on until the end.”

Paying tribute, Mr Walsh, 27, of Uxbridge, added: “She had such a great sense of humour. She was very opinionated and really believed in what she said.

“She was the head of our family and she was the wisest person of all of us.

“She always said the right things and knew the right answers.”

Kathleen Cooke, aged in her 20s, pictured with her husband at a dance in Hayes

Mrs Cooke, known to friends and family as Kathy, joined the council's parks department as an administrative assistant, working at the authority's offices in Springfield Road, Hayes.

After seven years she became a parking administrator at the Civic Centre, in High Street, Uxbridge, where she remained until retiring 18 years later, aged 65.

She had moved from Ireland in 1998, aged 17, to live in Waymouth Road, Hayes, where she stayed with her husband, who represented the Charville ward for 15 years from 1978, until he died in 1995. Two years later, Mrs Cooke moved to Fredora Avenue, also in Hayes.

Her daughter, Debbie, said Mrs Cooke shared her husband's keen interest in politics, but rules prevented her from becoming a councillor while working for the local authority.

Ms Cooke, 52, of Uxbridge, said: “She took a background role, but she used to be the person who, when my dad had meetings at the house, would put on food and drink for them. She helped raise funds for the party, too.

"They used to go to meetings together most nights of the week.”

Kathleen and Tony Cooke with their daughter, Debbie, in 1965/66

She added: “They were at a conference when the Brighton bomb went off and they went to a tea party with the Queen as well, so she spent years in the background, but being just as interested.”

After retiring, animal-lover Mrs Cooke enjoyed spending time with her daughter, her three grandchildren, Lorna, Dan and Rob Walsh, and her dogs, Ronnie, Reggie and Freddie.

Her funeral will take place on Thursday (February 26), at the Roman Catholic Church of St Raphael, in St Raphael's House, Morrison Road, Yeading, at 12.30pm. Anyone who knew her is invited to attend.

A service will be held afterwards – also open to attend – at Stockley Pines Golf Club, The Clubhouse, Stockley Park, Uxbridge.