Maidenhead & Windsor

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough has expressed deep regret and sadness at the death yesterday (Wednesday July 25) of Cllr Elizabeth Hawkes after a battle with cancer.

Cllr Hawkes, who was 61, served as a Windsor and Maidenhead borough councillor for 12 years. She was one of two councillors representing the Datchet ward, where she lived for 17 years from 1981 to 1998.

Born in India, where her father was serving in the army, she was first elected to the Royal Borough in 1995, and was the Royal Borough’s cabinet lead member for education from 2000 to 2003. Since May 2007 she chaired the Children’s Services and Leisure Scrutiny Panel as well as the Holyport Manor steering group.

She also served on a wide range of Royal Borough committees and panels including education, planning and highways, represented the borough on many outside committees and was a Datchet parish councillor.

A teacher since 1967, Cllr Hawkes was head of Science and Director of Studies at the Brigidine School in Windsor, with a passionate interest in education, reflected in her years as a governor of both St Mary’s C of E and Churchmead Schools in Datchet.

Cllr David Burbage, Windsor and Maidenhead council leader, said he was deeply saddened to hear of Cllr Hawkes’ death. He said: “Cllr Hawkes was a very popular councillor who was totally committed to the community of Datchet and to education, and she will be sadly missed both by the people of Datchet and by her fellow councillors.

“She braved her illness with great courage and continued to take an abiding interest in local issues right up until the end. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

David Lunn, Windsor and Maidenhead chief executive, said: “On behalf of all council staff I would like to express our sincere sympathy to Elizabeth’s husband and family. We have all admired her dignity and professionalism in the face of her ill-health, and will remember her as a dedicated and committed councillor.”

Cllr Hawkes is survived by her husband, Christopher, and daughter Samantha.

Details of her funeral will be released as soon as they are available.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead