Former mayor Judy Pattison

• I COULD not let the sad news of the death of Judy Pattison, former Camden councillor, pass without writing to pay tribute to the good person she was,

A committed campaigner and dedicated councillor, she was also a staunch comrade and friend within the Labour Party. Her diminutive size belied a fierce loyalty and campaigning spirit.

The evening I met her was my first attendance at Adelaide and Belsize branch. Unschooled in the ways of that friendly branch, I was unprepared for the evening in the pub that would follow and came along without any cash.

With what I later found out was typical trust, generosity and inclusiveness, Judy lent me a tenner to buy a round of drinks. That was the evening I met my husband so I have her to thank for quite a lot!

We lost touch later but I was glad, and not at all surprised, to hear through a mutual friend that she was still involved in politics as a councillor down in Exeter.

LIZ JOHNSON,
NW6