A FORMER county councillor and amateur dramatics enthusiast,Jacqueline 'Jackie' Cooper, died on November 19, aged 94.

Mrs Cooper (nee Renard) was born in Clapham on January 21,1923, and was brought up in London. After working on a gun-laying radar with the ATS during the war, she moved to Freshwater in 1949 with her husband, Richard,who she met in the services. Richard worked for the family businesses - theWest Wight Bus Company.

As well as an early involvement with the church, Mrs Cooper soon made a name for herself in amateur dramatics, acting and producing with the Thespians and the West Wight Drama Group and in the early days of the Apollo Theatre in Newport. In the 1960s, through family friend Steve Ross, she became involved in local politics and worked hard to see him elected as Liberal MP for the IW in 1974.

After this, and while still involved in the local party organisation and amateur dramatics, she served for some years as a Liberal councillor, first on the rural district council and then on the IW County Council where, among other roles, she served as vice-chairman of the planning and transportation committee and of the amenities and leisure committee. She was also chairman of the IW Council for the arts and a governor of Carisbrooke School. As a councillor, she was in favour of the 1970 Pop Festival at East Afton, which endeared her to the younger generation.

She brought up four sons with her husband while running a guest house, first at Three Pines in Middleton and then at Middleton House.This came to an end in 1987 where, after a divorce, she reverted to her maiden name and moved to Cowes.

Although she moved to Meze, near Sete, in France for several years, she returned to Freshwater in 2006, living in sheltered accommodation near her family, and then in Little Hayes Care Home.

Mrs Cooper leaves her sons, Stephen, Brian, Simon and Mark,grandchildren, Frances, Julian, Ben, Richard, Helena and Tom, and greatgrandchildren, Alaina and Leo.

The funeral will be held December 15 at 12.45pm at the Island Crematorium.