ONE of Worcester's most outspoken Mayors has died at the city's Ronkswood Hospital, aged 84.

Dorothy Gething was the first woman to hold the top civic posts of City Chamberlain, High Sheriff, and Mayor in three consecutive years.

She was born and bred in Worcester and was educated at the Girls' Grammar School.

Mrs Gething began her political career in 1965 when she was invited by the local Conservative Party to stand for the St Clements ward in the city council elections.

She lost the seat by three votes, but the following year she won and held the seat for 21 years.

In 1977 she became Mayor of the city and was elected to the county council before stepping down in 1987 due to ill health.

She died on Thursday night.

"She did a lot of work for education," said her son Peter Gething.

"She was always available to the people of St Clements year after year. Some people said in politics she was slightly to the right of Attila the Hun."

When she stepped down in 1987 the then Mayor, Coun Philip Hytch, said she added "colour and character" to the council.

Among her many roles she was chairman of the amenities committee, chairman of the schools sub-committee, served on the education committee, the board of management of Worcester YMCA, and was a governor of several schools and colleges.

She had been a widow for the past 10 years after husband Francis, known as Harry, died.

"She missed him terribly," said her son.

The couple first met on Coronation Day, May 12, 1937, and married in August that year.

They were married for 54 years and had a son, Peter, and two daughters, Sally and Susan.

"My mother was an extremely loyal person," said Peter Gething. "She was loyal to everybody and demanded loyalty from her family and got it."

While Mrs Gething was serving on the council she was known for being straight-talking and outspoken, especially in her opposition to comprehensive schools and maintaining the Countess of Huntingdon Chapel.

"She was a very dear friend, extremely hard-working and steadfast," said Coun Derek Prodger.

"She did an awful lot for the people of Worcester. She was wonderful person and a very good colleague."

Current Mayor of Worcester, Coun David Clark, passed on his condolences from the city and from the council.

"I didn't know her but I understand she served her term with distinction," he said.

There will be a minute's silence at the next council meeting.