Fun-loving Maureen to have final ride through Corby

A long-standing Corby public servant who died earlier this month will take a final journey through the town she made her home.

Maureen Forshaw, who served the Corby community for more than 30 years, died on September 12 aged 84 after a short illness.

She had previously served as mayor and made history after she retired by becoming the borough's first female Alderman.

Corby Council will fly the Union Flag at half-mast outside the Corby Cube on the day of her funeral, September 30, as a mark of respect.

And Maureen will have one final ride through the town so people can pay their respects when the funeral procession drives along George Street at about 2.30pm

Maureen's daughter, Tracy Stoker, paid tribute to her fun-loving, energetic mum.

She said: "She was a very fun-loving, happy person who loved her family.

"We are very proud of what she did for the town and she took great pleasure in being mayor.

"I know she was honoured to be made Alderman after she retired."

Maureen was born in Hartlepool and moved to Corby 53 years ago, where she spent most of her time living on the Kingswood estate.

She held various jobs, mostly in security, but also worked at shops and a bakery on the Kingswood estate as well as at the old Crown House.

Maureen was first elected as a Corby councillor in 1979, serving on the Danesholme ward.

In 1995 she was re-elected for the same ward after a short break, before subsequently representing the Kingswood ward from 1999 until her retirement in 2013 due to ill health.

She was made mayor of Corby in 2003/2004 and also held roles as the vice chair of the council’s development control committee, a member of the licensing committee and a member of the overview and scrutiny panel.

After resigning as a councillor in September 2013 she was awarded the title of Alderman two months later - becoming the first woman to be formally presented with the award by Corby Council.

Paying tribute, leader of Corby Council Cllr Tom Beattie said: "We are all deeply saddened by the news of Maureen’s passing.

"Maureen served the Corby community for over 30 years and was a huge part of the local Labour Party.

"She will be missed by all and we send our sincere condolences to her family and friends at this time."

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you