Funeral of former Suffolk County Council deputy leader Mary Evans to take place next week

The funeral arrangements for former Suffolk and West Suffolk councillor and journalist, Mary Evans, have been announced.

Mrs Evans was county councillor for the Clare division, a ward that is close to Haverhill, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds, between 2013 and 2021, district councillor for Whepstead & Wickhambrook from 2017 to 2021 and was deputy leader of the county council from 2018-2021.

Mrs Evans, who lived in Stansfield, died on January 23 after a short illness. She was 68.

Prior to getting involved in politics, Mrs Evans was a journalist, working for daily newspapers in Suffolk, Cambridge, Cardiff and Aberdeen and for the PA as one of its Westminster reporters.

She was married to her widower Richard for 47 years.

Her funeral and burial will take place at 11am on Friday, February 16 at All Saints Church, Stansfield.

The service will be for family, close friends and villagers. The wake will be at the Old Village Hall.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Monday, April 8 at 11am, followed by refreshments at The Athenaeum.