A former Lady Mayoress of Birmingham has died following a five-month battle against cancer.
Jean Hood and her husband John served as the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress from May 2005 to last May.
During their 12-month tenure the couple, of Sutton Coldfield, had welcomed hundreds of visitors and dignitaries to Birmingham including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Mrs Hood, who was 68, was born in Birchmoor, Tamworth, in Stafford-shire. She met John Hood when she was 12 years old and they became childhood sweethearts before he joined the Army. On his return to Britain they met again by chance and resumed their relation-ship. The couple married in 1959. They had three sons and five grandchildren.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham Coun Mike Sharpe (Lab Tyburn) said: "Jean was immensely proud to serve as Lady Mayoress and fulfilled the role with good humour, generosity and enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues."
A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Church, in Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, at 2pm on October 12. This will be followed by a private service at Sutton Crematorium.
Family flowers only have been requested but donations to Cancer Research UK may be sent to Cooperative Funeral Services, 36A High Street, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1UP.
