FRIENDS have paid tribute to a “lovely woman” who was a honorary alderman and former Lord Mayor of York.

Marjorie Bwye, who was a councillor for more than 20 years, was the city’s mayor from May 1985 to May 1986.

She died on December 28 in Scarborough Hospital aged 90.

Her funeral took place today at St Mary’s Church in Strensall, followed by interment at Fulford Cemetery.

Marjorie was the wife of the late Lt Col Mark Bwye.

Brian Watson, who is also an honorary alderman, knew Marjorie through their time as City of York councillors.

And they stayed friends after Marjorie left the council.

“She was a lovely woman,” Brian said.

“She was one of the stalwarts of the Conservative councillors when I was first elected to the council in 1979.

"She was a woman who had firm beliefs in what she was doing and a strong and able chairman of the Leisure Committee, and she was also a very able Lord Mayor.

“Marjorie was also a friend who one could easily learn from, and even to the end was one who kept up friendships with others of all parties.

“My personal remembrance of her was when she forgot my name during a tense debate and just sharply addressed me as ‘Watson’ to which I replied ‘yes Bwye?’

"Even to the time she was in hospital it was our personal greeting.

"Whenever we were together she would tell that tale to anyone who happened to be around, just to show how friendships were made.

“She was always a lady right to the end and will be missed by all who knew her.”

Honorary alderman David Wilde, who was a City of York councillor for 35 years, described Marjorie as a “nice lady.”

He said: “I got on really well with her.

“I knew her from council meetings and when she became a honorary alderman.”