Funeral of community champion Pat Martinez-Williams to be held today (From St Helens Star)

Funeral of community champion Pat Martinez-Williams to be held today

10:05am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

A SPECIAL meeting of St Helens Council will be held today prior to the funeral of community champion Patricia Martinez-Williams.

Tributes have been flowing to the Labour councillor since she died after bravely battling a long illness.

And council colleagues will gather at St Helens Town Hall this morning to offer a collective message of condolence to her family.

They will then head to St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Dentons Green for a funeral service, which starts at 12.30pm.

Patricia (66), represented Windle ward from 1995 to 2003, then Thatto Heath between 2007 and 2011 and Windle again from 2011.

Council leader Marie Rimmer led the salutes.

She said: “Pat was a very dedicated and caring councillor who had a very strong sense of justice and served her community tirelessly and to the very best of her ability.

“I know I speak for everybody when I say she will be greatly missed.

“St Helens has lost a true champion.”

Her son Philip told the Star: “She touched so many lives, whoever you were, always looking to help others.

“She was like a modern-day good Samaritan.

“We knew what a star she was, but it’s quite overwhelming when people show such respect, often just the littlest of things, for someone you love so much.”

Star editor Steve Leary said: “Pat was a tough and determined campaigner who stood her ground for what she believed in... but always seemed to have a big smile for everyone. Her death is a great loss on the political landscape of St Helens.”

Patricia leaves a husband Martyn and two children, Philip and Rebecca.