A DEDICATED councillor lost her battle against cancer on New Year's Eve.
Frances King, 54, who was a Reigate and Banstead borough councillor for South Park and Woodhatch, had battled breast cancer since 2011.
Family and colleagues have united in paying tribute to the mother-of-two, who would have celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary this year.
"It was an awful shock," her husband Stephen told the Mirror.
"She was a smiley person, generous, loving and caring.
"She didn't want for a lot in life, just one holiday every year, but it had to be a sunny one."
Mr King, who runs the Topcat cattery in Leigh, said his wife's energy in juggling her work, council, and family commitments was amazing. She had two children – Jason, 23, and Rebecca, 25.
"I don't know how she did it all," he said.
"You are just living your lives, but you don't appreciate it until they are gone."
Mrs King had also been a Surrey county councillor, for Earlswood and Reigate South, since 2005.
She first joined the borough council in 2002, after Guildford MP Anne Milton, whose house she was cleaning, said she would be ideal for the job.
Mr King said: "Frances was a breath of fresh air in the area.
"Every two years she was up for re-election to something, and the other years she was out campaigning for others."
"She was always on top of things within the borough – we quite often got people ringing up with problems."
On top of her council work Mrs King worked at various times as a childminder and ran a cleaning company.
For the family, her loss leaves a huge gap in their lives.
"We bounced off each other," Mr King said.
"A lot of the time we knew what each other was thinking. I would say something and she would say 'I was just thinking that'.
"We were a good team."
Mrs King was first diagnosed with cancer in February 2011, and underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy in an attempt to overcome the disease.
But in September last year she was told she had secondary breast cancer, which had spread to her brain, lungs and liver, and her health declined quickly.
"It was sooner than we expected," said Mr King. "We had plans for this year."
Members of both Surrey County Council and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council paid tribute to their hard-working and well-respected colleague. County council chairman Lavinia Sealy said: "Everyone at the county council is deeply saddened by this tragic news and we extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. "Frances worked tirelessly to champion the cause of local residents and was renowned for her efforts to make a difference for them. "She will be remembered not only as a dedicated councillor but also as a friend to all those she worked with. I know that I'm speaking on behalf of everyone here when I say that Frances will be greatly missed." Borough council leader Joan Spiers said: "I am extremely saddened by the news of Frances' passing. She fought a long, hard battle. "She will be remembered for her dedication and hard work for the borough council and on behalf of her residents. "She was very active in her ward and was highly respected by councillors, officers and residents. She will be missed not only as a colleague but as a friend. I am privileged to have been able to work alongside her. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time."