Brenda Petch

BRENDA Petch, an indomitable character who has died aged 73 just two weeks after being diagnosed with bowel, liver and lung cancer, served as Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber in 2007.

As the authority’s longest-serving woman, she earned the title “Mother” of the City Council.

Brought up in East Hull, Brenda left Escort School at 15 and got a job in the offices of the Co-Operative society.

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She only took to public life after her son, Austin, and daughter, Debbie, became independent. Up until then, the family was pivotal to her life. She became a governor of Dulverton School when they were both there, and of Newsland School which Debbie attended. When Debbie joined the Wawne Guides, Brenda became an assistant guide leader.

She had met her husband, Alderman Brian Petch, when he came out of the RAF at the end of his National Service, and they were married in 1961 after a seven-year courtship.

They both joined the Labour Party 30 years ago, Brenda immediately becoming active in it.

Through the party she met Coun Dennis Barber, himself a JP, and he suggested she do the training to become one too.

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As a party stalwart, Brenda served as the party’s political agent in Stoneferry Ward and then Marfleet Ward.

Eventually she stood for election in the St Andrews Ward. That was 23 years ago, and she remained a councillor – later representing Marfleet – up until her death.

She served as chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee, and deputy chairman of the Park Area Committee.

She was also a member of the fire authority, leisure services, housing, Hull port health and tech services committees.

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When Alderman Brian Petch became Lord Mayor in 2000 she was his Lady Mayoress, and seven years later, was Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber.

She set up the Over 60s Club on the North Bransholme Estate 25 years ago.

Service to the community was the thing that drove Brenda Petch.

In 2007, following the floods that devastated swathes of the city, she insisted on visiting flood victims rather than attend a routine test for bowel cancer.

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It might have picked up early signs of the disease from which she has now died.

Although a recent blood test showed widespread cancer throughout her body, she carried on working and attending council meetings up until last week, only going into hospital after doctors said she had just hours to live.

In fact she survived for another five days.

With her forceful personality, Brenda Petch was a dogged and very effective fighter for the things she believed in, her technique to win people over with sheer charisma.

Her energy was phenomenal, evidenced by the range of her activities on the council.

She is survived by her husband and their children Austin and Debbie.