TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated community councillor who died this week.

Jean Campbell, 65, represented Wormholt and White City ward since 2006 and was also a member of the Hammersmith Labour Party's general committee and executive member of the White City Tenants and Residents Association (WTRA) before she passed away suddenly on Saturday.

A church volunteer, the mother-of-four was born in Jamaica before arriving in Britain in 1970 and working as an auxiliary nurse in the West London Hospital and a civil servant in the Department of Trade and Industry.

For the past seven years, Jean had been caring for partner Jones Delauney who died in July after a long illness and was living with her mother.

Councillor Stephen Cowen, borough Labour leader, said: "For Jean, looking out for others was just part of how she lived her life.

"Accompanying her on a walk around White City could be a leisurely affair as she would be stopped by neighbours and constituents all keen to pass the time of day, discuss some issue of concern or shout a friendly greeting as they dashed by.

"She was a captivating speaker in the council chamber – always sticking up for the poorest and most hard done by. She was the original community leader - always thinking how she could get something done and working to make things better.

"I had last spoken with Jean on Friday night. She was on good form and looking forward to the future – even joking about going dancing again. Jean was much loved and respected by all of us all. Her death is a terrible shock and a dreadful loss.

"I know the thoughts of everyone who knew Jean will be with her mum, her children, their partners and her grandchildren, all of whom she was very proud - as were we of her."

Jean had been re-elected as WTRA treasurer last Wednesday night, was campaigning for better care for elderly residents in sheltered housing, for better youth services and was sending food parcels to Jamaica after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

Harry Audley, association chairman, said: "She was heavily involved in the community and devoted to them all. She was a caring person and there was virtually no part of her life that didn't involve some kind of generosity. She sought nothing for herself.

"She was one of those people who were cornerstone of the community and the fact the will no longer be with us is like losing a limb."

Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader councillor Nicholas Botterill added: “Everyone at the council is deeply saddened at the sudden death of councillor Campbell. Jean was a well-known member of the Wormholt and White City community and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to her friends and family.”

A by-election will be called in due course. Mrs Campbell won the most votes in 2010 with 3,052 a majority of more than 2,000.