FAMILY and friends gathered to say goodbye to a former mayor of Burnley yesterday.

The life of Mary Durkin, or May as she was known to friends, was celebrated at a requiem mass at St Mary's Church, Burnley, before a service at Burnley Crematorium.

In a low-key service Father Francis Jennings expressed his sympathy, and surprise at Mrs Durkin's death.

He said: "Death never comes at the right time. It was only a few months ago I did her sister's funeral, but I never thought May would be the next.

"The life of May has been full of wonderful activities and I could not proclaim it properly."

Phil Smith, Mrs Durkin's son-in-law, lead the tributes with a poignant but entertaining speech.

He said: "She was so much larger than life.

"May conquered Burnley, Boudicca like -- this civic queen running around in her chariot delivering meals on wheels.

"She made the Labour Party shake with her blue policies and still found the time to bring up three children.

"May was a person who gave out something special. Something I call generosity and comfort. May will be sorely missed."

Mrs Durkin, a former magistrate, died last Saturday at Pendleside Hospice, Reedley after a short battle against cancer.

Originating from Ballina, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland, she moved to Manchester and after meeting her late husband John, moved to Burnley.

As well as working for the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and St John Ambulance, she served on Burnley Borough Council as Conservative councillor for Healey from 1967 to 1974, before becoming councillor for Rosehill in 1974. The former nurse was the borough's mayor in 1982.

She leaves three daughters, Patricia Vokes, Yann Gharib and Margaret Smith and two grandchildren Elliot Smith and Omar Gharib.