Remembered: Councillor Patel
Greenwich Councillors have been paying tribute to Councillor Kanta Patel after it was announced that she passed away on 9 July 2008.
Kanta, who was a ward Councillor in Plumstead and until recently served on the Cabinet as the Member for Social Inclusion, was well known in the borough as a tireless campaigner for equal rights. She served on the Council for 21 years over two separate periods, having previously represented residents living in the old Herbert and St Alfege wards.
Her funeral took place at Hither Green Crematorium on Thursday 17 July at 3.15pm.
Book of condolence
A book of condolence has been opened in the Town Hall main foyer, Woolwich, for any residents who wish to sign it.
Location map for the Town Hall
'Much liked and well respected'
Council Leader, Chris Roberts paid tribute to Kanta Patel: "Kanta was a much liked and well respected member of the Council. She cared passionately about social justice and was a real champion of the benefits that our diverse borough could bring all local residents, having moved to Greenwich from Tanzania herself in August 1968.
"She was instrumental in the development of the award winning CARE Partnership which has been tackling racism and social exclusion in Greenwich for 15 years. She was committed to using education, culture and sport to help raise aspirations and opportunities, particularly for young people.
"As well as her work on the Council, she will also be remembered by many for her tireless work to improve the living standards of local residents. She was a leading light in the Greenwich Gujarati Samaj group, offering advice on welfare rights to local Asian residents over many years. This work carried on in recent months through her weekly column in the national newspaper Asian Voice where, among other things, she raised awareness of benefits people may be entitled to.
"We will all miss her contribution to the local community and will join others in passing on our condolences to her family and friends."