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A celebration of the life of former Caerphilly Town Mayor Lynda Paddock is to be held after her sudden passing at the age of 76.

All who knew Mrs Paddock are invited to attend the Municipal Club on Market Street, Caerphilly, at 12pm on Saturday May 13.

Having held the position of Town Mayor twice, in 1986/87 and again in 1995/96, Mrs Paddock was well-known for her youth and voluntary work in the area.

Mrs Paddock was born in 1946, in Ffrwd Terrace, Llanbradach – on the opposite side of the street to her future husband Dai.

A trained chef, she had a stint working in Eastbourne before returning and getting a job at The Boar’s Head pub, which is now home to Caerphilly’s Municipal Club.

It was there she began her courtship with the barman – a person she had known all her life, Dai Paddock. The two married and shared a love of tending to their allotment for more than 40 years.

Four children and a busy home life followed, but that didn’t deter Mrs Paddock, who died on April 4, from serving as an Independent community councillor in the town.

As part of her role throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was instrumental in establishing regular summer playschemes for local children. Mrs Paddock was also a leading figure in helping to establish the town’s twinning with French town Lannion in 1991.

In addition to this work, Mrs Paddock also established the Generate Café on Cardiff Road – now the site of Tyfu Café.

Mrs Paddock’s daughter Tracy said the inspiration for the café was the regular sight of youngsters hanging around the streets with nothing to do.

She explained: “We were all involved. The kids came up with the name and it was all for them.”

Despite her community commitments, Mrs Paddock still found the time to be a loving and supportive mother to her children Tracy, Siân;, Gareth, and Bethan-Hâf, who passed away in 1987.

Gareth said: “Her and Dad were very supportive growing up. Anything I wanted to do, they made sure I could do it.”

• A private family funeral, in keeping with the wishes of the late Mrs Paddock, is being held on Friday May 12.

Everyone is welcome to the celebration memorial at the Municipal Club Caerphilly being held between 12pm and 5pm on Saturday May 13.

Donations for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Cardiff, in lieu of flowers, may be sent directly to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW.

All enquires please to Piper Funeral Services on 02920 831101.