Sheila Clark, a former mayor of Gillingham, Medway councillor and mother of former MP Paul Clark, has died.

The Labour Party stalwart suffered a stroke and died six weeks later at the age of 85.

Born in Tufton Road, Rainham, she married journalist Gordon Clark in 1954 and Paul was born three years later.

She was a newspaper proof reader on the former Chatham News where Mr Clark was a reporter before going on to the Press Association.

She became a grandmother in 1990 to Rachel and in 1993 to James.

She was mayor of Gillingham from 1994 to 1995.

Apart from being a councillor for 18 years, she was on the PTA of Featherby Junior School, Chilham Road, in the late 1960s and later became governor.

She was also PTA secretary at Gillingham Grammar School for Boys, now Robert Napier.

She sat on a number of bodies, including the planning committee, Citizens’ Advice and also chaired the joint Medway Crematorium Committee.

Paul Clark, who represented Gillingham for Labour at Westminster between 1997 and 2010, said: “She was always a strong advocate for the environment and took a particular interest in the Riverside Country Park.

“But before being a councillor, she had worked for schools that I attended, leading to raise funds for extras.

“As an MP, it was a great help to have her as an additional caseworker. Mum had a great knowledge of the workings of the council and the officers in charge.

“We have been overwhelmed by the messages from people across Medway and beyond.”

Gordon Clark died at a care home at the age of 90 in May 2015. Mrs Clark’s cremation will be on Monday, June 11 at midday at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill.

Family flowers only please, but people are welcome to make donations to The Cats Protection League and the Stroke Association.