 Abbots Langley Parish Council has been left saddened by the news of Councillor Betty O’Neil’s death over Christmas. The popular Abbots resident lost her long battle against cancer over the Christmas period, and those close to her have paid tribute to the tireless work she put in for so many years.
Councillors at this month’s full council meeting held a minutes silence before proceedings commenced to remember their friend and colleague.Councillor Sara Bedford then said a few words on behalf of those assembled, remembering the contributions Betty had made to the parish. She said: “When I first came to Abbots 16 years ago, Betty was introduced to me as one of the three ‘Leavesden Witches’. She got to the bottom of things and got a scent of what things mattered to people. “She was someone who stuck up for young people and took her duties very seriously so that she did not let us down. She said to me before being re-elected in May that she was worried she would let us down, I told her there was no chance of that happening. She said she did not know if she would make it though her four year term, but would give it a really good go. It’s sad she only got six months into her four years. “We will all miss you a lot, Rest in Peace.”
Former nurse and teacher Betty was not only popular amongst her fellow councillors, but also among the community of Abbots Langley. She was a District Councillor from 1982-2000, while also serving many successful and productive years with the parish. After marrying husband John in 1954, Betty and John moved to Abbots Langley in 1965 when he got a job at Leavesden Hospital. As their family grew up and the couple had more time to themselves, they became involved with the local Liberal Democrats in Abbots Langley. Betty and John had six children and 12 grand children before her illness prematurely took her life.
My Abbots would like to pass on our best wishes to Betty’s family during this difficult time. We had many dealings with her on the council and she was always cooperative and helpful to us when necessary. |
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