A councillor and former mayor who was 'always at the heart of what was going on' has died
“She was always at the heart of what was going on and happy to be helping out and serving others. She will be sorely missed.”
Tributes have been paid after the death of a “valued” councillor and former mayor.
Gaynar Owen was a Labour Party member and had represented Up Holland on West Lancashire Council since 2012.
She held a number of roles on the council over the years and served as the borough’s mayor in 2019-20, when she chose Crawford Village Play Hut and Up Holland Scout Group as her good causes to support.
She had lived in Up Holland for more than 20 years, after growing up in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.
A council spokesman said: “It is with sincere regret and sadness that we inform you of the passing of Coun Gaynar Owen.
“Coun Owen was mayor of West Lancashire from 2019 to 2020 and has represented the people of Up Holland as a Labour councillor since 2012.
“Our thoughts go out to her family, friends and colleagues.”
West Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton wrote on Facebook: “So sorry to hear that Coun Gaynar Owen has died. Gaynar was such a valued councillor in Up Holland and a cherished member of the West Lancashire Labour Party.
“She was always at the heart of what was going on and happy to be helping out and serving others. She will be sorely missed.”
Responding to her post, Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Gaynar was a great champion for her community. She will be missed.”
Coun Neil Pye, who represents Newgate on Up Holland Parish Council, wrote: “Gaynar was a very fine person and really well-liked within the Up Holland community and beyond, both as a councillor and away from the vocation of local politics.
“We will miss her warmth and friendship. All thoughts and prayers go out to her immediate family and friends.”
Jeanette Newman wrote: “Such sad news, loved Gaynar to bits. She ran the Sunday evening bingo at the Greenhill Community Hub and used to come early for a weekly catch-up with us church folks.
“I feel like an era has ended. My condolences to all who loved her dearly for the wonderful down-to-earth woman she was.”
In his own post, Coun Aaron Body, leader of West Lancashire Council’s Reform UK group, said: “I have known Gaynar since my days on Up Holland Parish Council, and although we came from opposite sides of the political divide, we shared something far more important than politics: a personal friendship built on mutual respect.
“Politics can sometimes create divisions, and we will not always agree on the issues that matter to us. But true friendship transcends those differences. Gaynar was a reminder that, whatever our political beliefs, we are all human beings, and there are things far more important than party allegiance.
“My thoughts are with Gaynar's family, friends and everyone who knew and loved her at this very sad time. No words can adequately express the loss felt by those closest to her, and I hope they can find comfort in the memories they will always carry with them.”
He appealed to political parties in the area to agree that her council seat would remain vacant until local elections in May, rather than a by-election being held, as a “genuine, cross-party mark of respect for her and her service to the community”.