Dr Alexander was a well known figure in High Wycombe as the town's former mayor, founder of the Environment Centre and president of the Wycombe Liberal Democrats among many other things.

She died on Monday, September 7.

Frances, and her late husband Eric, a scientist, environmentalist and political campaigner who passed away in 2016, settled in High Wycombe in 1969.

Over the next 50 years Frances became a tour de force in the local community, in local politics, in local arts, and as a teacher in local schools.

She founded The Environment Centre, first on The Rye, then on the Oxford Road, then in Frogmoor.

She was chairman of Wycombe District Council in 1997/98 and Mayor of High Wycombe in 1998/99.

Frances also wrote a book for children, “High Wycombe Then and Now”, which combined local history and heritage with colouring-in.

Frances, for many years, was the organiser of the annual Open Art Exhibition in Wycombe, providing encouragement and an outlet for local artists and creative people.

In more recent years Frances was honoured with a Doctorate from Bucks New University, and awarded the role of Honorary Burgess by Wycombe District Council.

When Arriva buses introduced a fleet of five new buses in High Wycombe and asked the public to vote on names for them in 2015, Frances was one of the five distinguished local people acknowledged, along with Gareth Ainsworth, Peter Cartwright, Benjamin Disraeli, and Rikki Aktar Hussain.

In 1984, she founded an organisation of international friendship, Women Welcome Women World Wide.

Today it has some 3,000 members in more than 75 countries - many have visited its office in Easton Street, or stayed in the town during a “gathering” of members.

Dr Alexander was also a key figure in the fight to get High Wycombe its own town council alongside other former mayors, taking to the streets to gather signatures.