TRIBUTES have been paid to former Caerphilly County Borough councillor Gaynor Oliver, who has passed away.
The borough’s Labour branch said Cllr Oliver “will be missed by us all and remembered with love and solidarity”.
Cllr Oliver represented the party in the Pontlottyn ward for 14 years, and also served as the county borough’s mayor in 2012.
Pontlottyn councillor Mansel Powell described Cllr Oliver as “a remarkable individual, always generous with her support, encouragement, and above all, her time”.
He added: “I was fortunate to benefit from her extensive knowledge of local politics and community issues. Her passing represents a significant loss to the community of Pontlottyn, which she cherished deeply and dedicated so much of her time to.”
Cllr Carl Cuss, who represents the neighbouring Twyn Carno ward, extended his sympathies to Cllr Oliver’s family.
He said Cllr Oliver was “very passionate about education, and was always a good voice for the north of the borough”.
Tributes paid to her “demonstrate how popular she was, and having worked very closely with her during my time in politics, I will miss her”, Cllr Cuss added.
Cllr Jamie Pritchard, the council’s deputy leader, described Cllr Oliver as a “lovely person and somebody who you could really relate to – her passing is very sad news”.
Dawn Bowden, the Labour Senedd Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, remembered Cllr Oliver as a friend and “dedicated public servant”.
She said Cllr Oliver had “on a personal level, always been incredibly supportive”, and would be remembered for her “kindness and generosity”.
Merthyr and Aberdare MP Gerald Jones, who used to represent the Upper Rhymey Valley before the constituency boundaries were redrawn last year, said Cllr Oliver was “a strong, formidable woman”.
He continued: “But beyond that she was a lovely person, generous with her support, encouragement and, above all, her time for people who needed her help and for the community of Pontlottyn, that she loved dearly”.
Nick Smith, the MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, added “witty and decent” Cllr Oliver was a friend, “Labour through and through”, and a “fierce champion for her community”.
