Family and friends have paid tribute to former Mayor of Abergavenny Jane Foulser who died at Nevill Hall Hospital last Wednesday.

Mrs Foulser, who had just turned 81, held the office of mayor in 2011/12, a year after completing her term as chairman of Monmouthshire County Council.

She worked for 25 years in the physiotherapy department at Nevill Hall Hospital where she worked in the hydro therapy pool.

She and husband Bill ran the Musketeers Swimming Club for the disabled for more than 25 years and the Porpoise Swimming Club for more than two decades, teaching hundreds of local children to swim.

They were also involved in the running of Bailey Park outdoor swimming pool for many years and Mr Foulser, a talented artist, decorated the walls of the pool with colourful pictures of famous cartoon characters which were sponsored by local families.

Mrs Foulser’s lifelong love of swimming was apparently passed down from her father William Edwards who was an instructor.

The current Mayor Councillor Chris Woodhouse said news of her death was ‘very sad’.

“Jane was a great servant both for the county and the town. Along with her Consort Bill they gave the office of Mayor great dignity and they were so well respected by all who enjoyed their presence.

“Jane will also be remembered for the wonderful work she did, with Bill, with the Musketeers Swimming Club, enabling many people to enjoy not just swimming but the company of others at the Leisure Centre.

“As a professional person Jane’s work at Nevill Hall Hospital in the Physiotherapy Department endeared her to many, many people. She was truly a town person and her local knowledge enabled her to serve the town well. She will be sadly missed.”

Monmouthshire County Council Leader Peter Fox said, “It was with great sadness that I learnt of Jane’s passing. Jane was elected to the county council in 2000 having won a by-election for Priory Ward in Abergavenny where she was also a town councillor. She was elected Chairman of the county council in 2009 and retired from politics in 2012.

“Jane was a very well respected and lovely lady and someone who contributed greatly to her community over the years. She will be very much missed. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

Mrs Foulser’s daughter Jane Foulser McFarlane, a Cardiff-based barrister married to solicitor Angus McFarlane, said her mother had died after a long illness exacerbated by a fall at home.

She was keen to pay tribute to her parents’ live-in carer Mrs Barbara Walkley who had been devastated by the news - and also to friends Wendy Parry and Robert Llewelyn and Richard Smith who lived nearby and had been supportive to her parents at all times.

Robert, she said, had learnt to swim at the disabled swimming club when he was 16 and remained a close family friend for over 30 years.

“My mother was a very outgoing, happy person who always enjoyed life,” said Jane. “I must mention the fact too that she was absolutely devoted her ‘golden doodle’ Hamish, who people said was like her grandson!”

Jane said she hopes to organise a charity event, possibly a dinner, in the months ahead in support of the Alzheimer’s Society.