UKIP councillor for Aveley and Uplands, Maggie O’Keefe-Ray has died.
The news was announced by UKIP on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for UKIP said:
"UKIP Thurrock is sad to inform you that yesterday, 24th September 2014, Cllr Maggie O’Keeffe-Ray passed away.
She had been in Queen’s Hospital fighting a brain haemorrhage. Unfortunately the damage was too severe, that despite the best efforts of medical teams at Queen’s, nothing could be done. We would like to thank the teams at Queen’s for all the care and love they showed Maggie in her time there.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Cllr Robert Ray and their family at this time.
Tributes have been paid to Maggie.
Tim Aker MEP, a close friend to Maggie and Robert said “Maggie lit up any room she was in. She had a smile and the time of day for anyone. We are all devastated and upset, but she will want us to soldier on. She will always be with us.”
Cllr Graham Snell, leader of the UKIP group on Thurrock council said “Maggie was the heart and soul of our branch. She was always ready with a big hug and a bigger smile.”
At this time, we request that the family are given privacy.
