Civic service for 'Auntie June'

Baroness Fookes of Plymouth, a deputy speaker of the House of Lords and a select committee chairman, delivered one of three tributes at the civic funeral service of June Fabian (below). Hastings MP Michael Foster and his wife Rosemary joined the procession of civic dignatories behind the coffin, and former Hastings MP Jacqui Lait, now Tory front-bench spokesman on charities, was in the congregation.

Mayor's secretary Helen Bird painted a picture of a woman who fought off arthritic pain to perform her civic duties and raise huge amounts of money for charity, and also raised many a smile with the double entendres she often came out with in her "delightful naivety". Mrs Bird said: "Throughout the council, members of all political persuasions and all the officers and staff just loved 'Auntie June'."

Miss Fabian was the borough's fourth lady mayor when she began her two years of office in 1991, after being deputy mayor for two years. Her sister Angela, who was her mayoress, spoke at the funeral of June's love for the town, which began when their parents owned a hotel on the seafront in the thirties. Miss Fabian also leaves another sister, Stella, and brother, Leonard.

Lady Fookes spoke of June's tireless service as Conservative councillor for West St Leonards from 1979-94, and on East Sussex County Council from 1977-85. "She could be very critical when she thought the party was taking a wrong turn, and once asked me a barrage of questions when I was chairing a meeting, but you could never take offence with her warm personality."

Mourners heard the long list of the charities Miss Fabian worked so hard for - notably Macmillan Cancer Relief and various hospital-based charities - and Lady Fookes said that she was "willing to work and did the nitty-gritty jobs meticulously".

During her time as Mayor she had her second hip replacement operation, but went back to mayoral work immediately, using a stick or wheelchair. Just a few weeks after the operation she completed a charity "Hip Walk" from the Pier to Marina Pavilion.

Angela said: "My sister never let up. She pushed herself and was so determined and even when she was very ill she still fought. She was always there for anybody. Last year she had only just come out of hospital but gathered over 80 people for a Macmillan Cancer Relief lunch at the Royal Victoria Hotel and even managed to give a speech."

PICTURED below : June Fabian's sisters Stella and Angela, brother Leonard and other relatives and friends arrive for the civic funeral. Bottom: Mayor Pam Brown, councillors and other dignatories process behind the shrouded maces into St Clement's Church. Right: Cllr Pam Brown wore her ceremonial robes of office as Mayor of Hastings and Speaker of the Cinque Ports to honour former Mayor June Fabian.