A COUNCIL leader has paid tribute to a former Rhyl mayor, describing her as a “real character” who was “well liked by all”.
At a cabinet meeting today (Tuesday) at Denbighshire County Council’s Ruthin County Hall HQ, Cllr Jason McLellan led tributes to Cllr Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, who passed away earlier this month.
“This is the first meeting that we’ve had as a cabinet since the really sad loss of our friend Jeanette, J.J., and I want to say a few words, with this meeting being the first after our sad loss,” he said.
Cllr McLellan told the chamber he had known Cllr Chamberlain-Jones for many years through the Labour Party and her role as a councillor, adding she had been “really popular” with colleagues, council staff, and residents alike.
“She was well liked by all of us. She was really popular – popular with members, popular with officers, and popular with the residents as well – and of course she had been a councillor for many, many years,” he said.
Reflecting on her personality, he added: “She was a real character. Her portrait isn’t here today because her family have asked for the portrait to be used in the funeral, and it is a lovely picture of Jeanette – it really captures her sparkle and her joy of life.”
He also praised her commitment to public service, describing her as “hardworking, diligent, and forthright”.
“She didn’t stand for any nonsense from anyone, and we saw that commitment in the work she did here in Denbighshire and her dedication to the fostering panel, and in the really good work she did when she was chair of the partnership committee for many years,” he said.
Cllr McLellan added that Cllr Chamberlain-Jones had been deeply committed to the NHS, where she’d worked for many years.
“She was passionate about the health service, absolutely passionate that the health service should deliver for our residents, and she worked really hard on that,” he said.
Paying a more personal tribute, he said: “She loved life; she lived life to the full; she had many friends. She had a love of golf. She really did have a joyful life, and she will be missed by all of us.”
The council said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of her death on March 2.
Cllr Chamberlain-Jones had served the authority since 2004, representing the Rhyl South ward, and had built a long career in public service, including nearly 30 years working at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
During her time in office, she served as council chair for 2012–2013, as well as the chair of the partnerships scrutiny committee between 2013 and 2022.
She also contributed to the social services and housing scrutiny committees, served as vice chair of the Rhyl member area group, and was a long-standing member of the council’s adoption panel.
Cllr Chamberlain-Jones was also a former mayor of Rhyl and a dedicated town councillor.
