Tributes paid to former Mayoress

TRIBUTES have poured in for a much-loved community champion who died this week.

Former Mayoress Doris Marchant (81) died in her house on Chaucer Road, Peterborough, on Tuesday.

Mrs Marchant worked in school canteens and then Coleman’s stationery shop in Priestgate up to her death.

She still found time to help vulnerable people at the Salvation Army and the Parkway Sport and Social Club.

Mrs Marchant also hand delivered thousands of Christmas cards every year to every resident in Millfield and New England with councillors Charles Swift and Keith Sharp.

Mrs Marchant even spent her last birthday on May 9 putting on a buffet for friends after the death of a friend.

Her public spirit was rewarded when she was made Mayoress for the city from MISSED: A highlight of her busy life for Doris Marchant was her year as Mayoress with cllr Keith Sharp. 2010 to 2011, which daughter Jackie described as “the biggest source of pride in her life.”

Jackie (56) said: “She was always doing something for somebody - I used to ask her how she kept going.

“The biggest source of pride in all her life was when she was Mayoress. She wished she could do that forever.”

Son Phil (54) added: “She worked a lot for vulnerable people and helped the community.

“Whatever the weather she’d be up and about - she just wanted to help people all the time. She lived an active lifestyle to the day she died.”

As well as her two children, Doris had five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She had lived alone since husband John died in 2000.

Close friend Cllr Swift said: “Doris was one of a declining breed of men and women who did all they could to improve the lives of others.

“She was one of the backroom workers that all councillors rely upon.

“She practised what she preached and never wasted a minute of her time on this earth.

“She worked for me in all my elections and I estimate that she has delivered more than 100,000 leaflets and Christmas cards over the years.”

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson said: “Doris was a lovely lady. She was always cheerful and she loved her role as Mayor’s consort and the chance to meet people across the city.”

Mrs Marchant was a regular visitor to the 1st Millfield Rainbow Guides and Brownie Guides.

Leader Pauline Foster said: “She was like an ‘ adopted nanny’ to all the girls. She always brought a smile to their faces, as they did to her. She will be very dearly missed by us all.”

Doris spent last Tuesday on a riverboat trip in Grantham with friends from the Bluebell Over 60s Club.

Club secretary Joan Bains said: “I’m just shocked that she died. She will be missed.” run: Doris Marchant who ran the fun run at the Great Eastern and Bella Saltmarsh