Wellesbourne councillor's funeral held in Stratford
The funeral of Warwickshire County Councillor Anita Macaulay is to be held today at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
Cllr Macaulay, who died suddenly on 11 May, was a greatly respected district and county councillor for Wellesbourne which she had served since 2004 as a district councillor and since 2005 as a county councillor.
Cllr Chris Saint, who worked with Mrs Macaulay on both the district and the county council, said: “Anita’s main interests reflected the communities she served; she was a lively and committed member who will be a great loss to the county council.”
Cllr Macaulay was well known in the district for her campaigning on behalf of the people of Wellesbourne particularly in the fight against anti-social behaviour. She was instrumental in promotion of the introduction of CCTV to the area and organised activities for young people to divert them from trouble.
Cllr Macaulay’s efforts for children were renowned locally. She championed their needs particularly around fostering and adoption and was quick to move whenever nurseries in the area came under any threat.
Although a tireless campaigner for the people in and around her parish, Cllr Macaulay will perhaps be best remembered for her work in setting up the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Astrophy.
Tragically in 1985, Ms Macaulay lost a seven month old daughter to the disease. With no organisation researching the disease, Ms Macaulay set up the trust. Messages of condolence have poured in from as far afield as the USA and Hong Kong from people whose familes have benefited from the work of the trust.
A book of condolence is open at the Jennifer Trust office at Elta House, Birmingham Road, Stratford. Messages can also be posted at http://www.jtsma.org.uk
Ms Macaulay is survived by a 14 year old son, Stuart, and by her parents and a brother and sister.