Marlow councillors held a minute’s silence in memory of a former town mayor who passed away just months after his “soulmate.”

Derek Done, a former mayor and district councillor, passed away peacefully on December 8, aged 84.

His wife and “soulmate” Margaret, also a former Marlow mayor, sadly died just two weeks before her son was due to get married, on August 4 last year.

The pair were together for 50 years after meeting while on holiday at a Methodist Guild holiday home in the Wye Valley - and both worshipped regularly at the Marlow Methodist Church on Spittal Street.

At a meeting of Marlow town council in Court Garden House on January 10, councillors remembered Mr Done with a minute’s silence.

The long-time Marlow Society member was a regular visitor to council meetings, taking notes and asking questions about issues affecting the community.

Current Marlow mayor, cllr Bob Johnson, kicked off the tributes to Mr Done, who used to be chairman of the planning and development committee at Wycombe District Council.

He said: “One of our past mayors and councillors passed away and I would like us to observe a minute’s silence in acknowledgment of his contribution.

“He was one our most regular, prolific member of the community who attended our meetings, certainly in all the time I have been a councillor. If anybody expressed an interest in what was going on, he did.”

Cllr Roy Cadman added: “He was a wonderful attender of local organisations and contributed to them greatly such as the Budavar Twinning Society.”

In a tribute on the Marlow Society website, chairman, Martin Blunkell, said Mr Done’s death had brought him “great sadness.”

He said: “Derek had been scheduled to present a question to the Wycombe District Council on the 12th and I was privileged to step in, on his behalf, and ask the last question that he had raised on local government issues, a topic close to his heart.

“Derek was, in addition to his long list of civic responsibilities, including Town Mayor and District Councillor, a hardworking and loyal member of the Society. I could always rely on his advice and guidance on a wide range of issues. He will be sorely missed.”

Paying tribute to Mr Done, George Lawrence, Marlow Society secretary, said: “Derek and Margaret were long-standing and active supporters of the Marlow Society.

“Derek had served on executive committee and continued to help the Society generously with his expertise in planning, through his work as an elected member at WDC and with transport issues, drawing on his professional life.

“He continued to represent the Society in the public gallery at Town Council meetings and served on the Court Garden management committee.

“We will greatly miss his contributions in helping to improve Marlow life.”

Mr Done’s funeral will take place on Thursday, January 19 at The Chiltern Crematorium, Milton Chapel, at 10.45am, followed by a memorial service at Marlow Methodist Church, Spittal Street at 12.30pm.

Everyone is welcome at either or both services. Family flowers only. Donations to the British Red Cross c/o Arnold Funeral Service, 21-23 Little Marlow Road, Marlow SL7 1HA.