Peggy White

She was the city’s lord mayor in 1995/96.

Alderman White was the chairman of Leeds City Council’s Social Services Committee between 1975 and 1980, and it was in recognition of her work in social services, for which she earned a national reputation, that she was made a CBE.

Among her very many interests was the Leeds International Piano Competition, and she was a long-standing member of its governing council.

Her energy and indomitable personality were also directed into charitable works when she gave expression to her motto that no job was beneath her dignity.

Jessica Margaret Peggy Lyth and her younger sister Irene were the daughters of Tom Lyth, a York bank manager and his wife Jessica.

She went to Harrogate Ladies’ College, and after leaving school went to London to be a secretary, living in Surbiton.

Her involvement with the Conservative Party lead to her introduction, in the late 50s, to Peter White, a political agent for Leeds, and in the early 1960s they were married.

Mr White died in 1988. They had no children, but were very close to her nieces Suzie and Katherine and nephews Stephen and Richard, who survive her.

The funeral will be held on June 7 at St Chad’s Church, Headingley, at 1pm.