A beloved councillor who was a 'loving wife and doting mother” died in hospital earlier this week.
Gill Neal, 49, was a councillor for The Independants representing Windle and served on St Helens Borough Council for four years after being elected in 2016.
During her time on the council, Gill held the cabinet role for public health and wellbeing from 2017-18, before resigning from the council after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
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Despite her diagnosis in early 2020, Gill continued to carry out her council duties until handing in her resignation in August last year.
Gill sadly died at Willowbrook Hospice on Monday evening (October 25).
She leaves behind her husband Simon, children Molly and Josh, Mum Lyn, as well as many others whose lives were touched by Gill.
Tributes have since been paid to the woman who was 'strong-minded' and ‘incredibly supportive'.
St Helens Borough Council Chief Executive, Kath O'Dwyer, said: “Despite originally coming from outside the area, Gill was passionate about our borough and was a great advocate for raising awareness of health issues - so to battle as long as she did, doing so with such a positive mindset, says a lot about the strong character she was.
“On behalf of St Helens Borough Council, my deepest condolences go out to her family and friends at this sad time.”
In a moving tribute, Jess Hopwood said: "Thank you for being in my life, holding my hand and telling me things will be okay when I wasn't okay.
"Thank you for driving me to the hospital and back when things went wrong with my family and I needed to be there.
"Thank you for being there anytime I needed to cry, rant or someone to hug. Thank you for everything you have ever done to me and my family.
"Thank you for bringing me into your home with open arms and never once judging my situation. Thank you for being there on results day when I wasn't okay and didn't get into university and calming me down and helping me get into a different one.
"Thank you for guiding me onto the right path and encouraging me to follow my dreams.
"Thank you for being a light in everyone's life that has ever met you, being an inspiration to all and being a strong, brave woman battling cancer whilst also being such an amazing wife and mum to Simon, Mollie and Josh.
"I'll never ever forget you and everything you have ever done for me, I'm so grateful and privileged to have had you in my life and just relax now you're out of pain. I will always love and miss you so much.
"Goodnight God bless & sending all my love to Simon, Mollie, Josh & her Mum Lyn."
As a mark of respect, the council corporate flag will fly at half-mast on the day of the funeral, details of which are to be confirmed.
