THE first and only Labour mayor of Teignmouth has died at the age of 90.

Mary Kennedy served on Teignmouth Town Council from 1995 to 2003 and was mayor from 2001 to 2002.

Former colleagues and friends have paid tribute to her service to the town.

A retired maths and PE teacher, Mary, and her late husband Bob, who was deputy head teacher at Teignmouth’s secondary school, were stalwarts of the Labour Party and the Co-operative movement.

Mary was greatly involved in the town through her work with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Meadow Centre at Kingsway and the instigation of Teignmouth Ladies Hockey Club.

Her legacy remains with the sea front skatepark which she was instrumental in its building, design and construction.

The couple were also involved in the town’s FairTrade movement, working to get the town FairTrade status.

It is said when she was elected Mayor, she bought her distinctive red coat which she wore for many years.

A spokesman for Teignmouth Town Council said she was ’a hard working member of the council’.

Her daughter Gillian Kennedy told the Teignmouth Post: ’She always wanted to be involved in the community and helping people.’

While working part time as a teacher, she began running a play group which is where her interest in working with local people developed.

She worked with parents and children to make improvements.

Long standing councillor David Cox described her as ’really important’ to Teignmouth and said her death was ’really sad’.

Mayor of Teignmouth Peter Williams said: ’She was very influential setting up the skatepark and there is a lot to be thankful to her for as it is so popular.’

In a statement, Teignmouth Ladies Hockey Club said: ’We are very sad to hear of the passing of Mary Kennedy. Mary, the founder of the club, is an important part of childhood memories for many of us and had a great influence on many past and present players.

’She was a hockey legend and would still come to watch the occasional game right up until recent years wearing the very same red coat.

’Our thoughts are with her family at this time.’

She, and her husband, were also key members of Teignmouth’s Twinning Association with the twin town in France Perros-Guirec.