Emotional tributes have been paid to a well-known community activist who died on the same day as the Queen - just months after being elected to serve on West Lothian Council.
Provost Cathy Muldoon led tributes to her friend and colleague, Labour councillor Ann Davidson, as West Lothian councillors gathered in the chambers this week for the first meeting in more than two years - and the first for the new councillors elected along with Mrs Davidson on May 5.
Councillor Davidson fell ill shortly after she was elected for Labour to represent her home town of Broxburn, and died on September 8.
Mrs Davidson was long active in local politics and charity work. Her husband Lex had served as councillor for Broxburn for 25 years.
She and her family earlier this year were joined by senior councillors for the renaming of the town’s library in his honour.
Addressing a subdued chamber on Tuesday morning, a visibly upset Provost Muldoon recalled her friendship with the Davidson family, and Ann.
She said: “Ann was a friend as well as a colleague. Ann supported me when I was first elected in 1999 in the Broxburn ward and her advice and guidance to me proved to be invaluable.
“I have fond memories of sitting with Ann and Lex in their conservatory enjoying tea and toast and putting the world to rights. Ann was elected in May this year and in that short time she worked hard for her constituents. She will be a great loss to the people of Broxburn Uphall and Winchburgh.”
The provost’s voice cracked with emotion as she asked: “Please, if you can, be upstanding with me for a minute’s silence when we remember our friend and colleague.”
Colleagues remembered the Davidsons and their work in the community.
Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told the council: “I have known the Davidson family for decades. Our former colleague Lex Davidson, who died a few years ago worked tirelessly for the people of Broxburn.
“Ann stood in May and was elected. She was very dedicated to her ward. It is so sad that shortly after the election she took ill and had a dreadful diagnosis which only gave her a few months to live. I will remember Ann with fondness.”
Conservative leader Damian Doran-Timson said it was deeply shocking to hear of the passing of Ann.
He added: “It’s such a shame that Ann did not have enough time to work for her constituents as she would have done.”
He passed on condolences, both personal and on behalf of the Conservative group to the family, and the Labour group.
Fellow Broxburn councillor Janet Campbell, the SNP group leader said of Ann: “She was an extremely caring woman evidenced by the years she spent working for local charities. She was a very much loved wife, mum, grandmum, sister and auntie and so on behalf of myself and the whole SNP group on West Lothian Council our condolences and sympathies are extended to all of Ann’s family during this extremely difficult time.”
Depute Labour leader Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan remembered Councillor Davidson as a “very kind person with a generous heart,always first to volunteer, and always with a smile.”
She added: “I have no doubt she would have been a dedicated and committed champion for her ward just as she was as a volunteer in Broxburn. She will leave a huge hole in her family’s life and a huge hole in this Labour group.”
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