THE passing of Kendal Councillor Michele Miles has left a hole in the community that will never be filled.

The popular councillor, devoted mother and much-loved wife passed away on June 9 at the age of 54.

The community has paid tributes to her memory, with fellow councillors describing her as ‘a fantastic person’ who was always helping others.

Michele died just four days after celebrating her birthday.

As well as a councillor, she was a devoted mother to Sam, 25, Tom, 24, and Josh, 21.

Her husband, and fellow Councillor Dave Miles, described her as ‘beyond generous and caring’.

He said: “As well as it all she was my wife and a mother.

“We would have been together for 40 years next year and married for 30 years as well.

“That’s how she will always be for me. A beloved wife and incredible mother.

“She just loved helping people. She never stopped doing it and was always keeping busy.

“She ran the food support chain in Kirkbarrow and over the Christmas period she was always taking dozens of food parcels all over the town. More than 100.

“She delivered them for the kids in the area and did a lot of work with the salvation army.

“Always going above and beyond, she just wouldn’t let someone go without help.

“Together with her friend she was running a lockdown bingo on the street, on the big grass area near our home. Just a little something to keep people happy during lockdown.

“I was working a lot of the time but she was always there doing things for others.

“Outside her life as a councillor she always worked as a dinner lady in Ghyllside School.

“Balancing it all as a councillor, a dinner lady, a friend and a mum was incredible.

“I miss her very dearly. There’s a big hole now in my mind.

“She was much loved and we will always love her.”

The Council expressed its deepest sympathies for Michele’s family, including Kendal Town Mayor Douglas Rathbone.

He said: “What a shock it was to all of us who knew her that such a lovely lady as Michele could be taken from us so suddenly and so early. We’ll miss who she was as a friend and what she did for the community.

“Everyone’s remembering her trick or treats, her work to help with food poverty and the time she gave to help all in a community she truly loved; that, and her sense of fun.”

Her loss was also reflected on by South Lakeland MP Tim Farron who described the passing of Michele as ‘devastating’.

He said: “She served her community and made many personal sacrifices because she loved people and we loved her back. I am devastated by Michele’s passing. She was the loveliest, most kind and caring person you could imagine. To David and all the family, we send our love and deep sympathy.”

A funeral service will be held for Michele in Kendal Parish Church on June 28 at 11:45am. The family request that bright colours be worn instead of black.