TRIBUTES have been paid to Maureen Page, former Mayor of Wallingford, who has died aged 89.

After being mayor, she was chairman of governors at both Wallingford School and at St Nicholas Infants’ School, and was later a trustee of the Wallingford Museum and president of Wallingford Girl Guides.

To several generations of children in Wallingford she was a local hero.

Mrs Page’s daughter-in-law Caroline Page grew up in Wallingford, and said: “Maureen was brilliant. I knew her like any kid did, and she used to pay my library fines.

“She was helpful to all the kids, she took a real interest in individual pupils.”

Maureen Neill was born and grew up in Woodford, Essex, and on leaving school was apprenticed to a photographer.

During the Second World War she took a job in London as the first woman photographer in the civil service.

She met her husband John Page when he returned from the RAF to the civil service.

They married in 1949 and moved to Wallingford in 1952, where Mr Page worked at Howbery Park.

In May 1961 she joined the staff of Wallingford branch library which was then housed in the old Methodist chapel.

In 1969 she was elected to Wallingford Borough Council and in 1977 she was elected mayor.

Mrs Page is survived by her son Laurence, two daughters, Jane and Sally, ten grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

There will be a thanksgiving service at St Mary’s Church, Wallingford, tomorrow at 3pm.