FORMER Lord Mayor of Oxford Queenie Hamilton, who had a ‘passion for city life’, has died aged 98.

The long-serving Headington Quarry councillor’s family revealed she died peacefully at home last month.

She was first voted in during the 1973 local elections and served as Lord Mayor in the 1990-1991 financial year.

Her husband John, who died in 1999, was also Lord Mayor in 1979-1980 - and the couple who married at the outset of the Second World War founded the European Friendship Society, hosting people in need at their home for many years.

Former councillor and close friend Alan Pope said: “She made a very great contribution to the council and indeed to the city itself.

“Even into her 90s she was very keen and active, taking an interests in ceremonies.

“Right up until the end she was involved in city life - she attended a freedom ceremony in October on her 98th birthday and we all sang to her and gave her flowers, it was a really nice occasion.”

The grandmother-of-three was also an active member of Oxfordshire Pensioners’ Action Group and played a major part in Oxford’s twinning links with Bonn in Germany and Leiden in the Netherlands.

Mr Pope added: “I was able to accompany her to Bonn in 2011, she had always wanted to go, and despite her age she had the time of her life.”

She died on Remembrance Sunday, a day which always saw her attend official functions in Oxford.

She is predeceased by her husband, John and her son, John Mackay Hamilton and survived by her daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine, and grandchildren, Sam, Patrick and Georgina

Her funeral will take place on Thursday at noon at St Peter’s Church in Wolvercote.

All are welcome and the family have asked for donations to be made to Oxford Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre.