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Journalist turned local councillor dies aged 90

39F1P01fRubyRoberts_001INTA former journalist who went into local politics after retiring from the industry nearly 30 years ago has died at the age of 90.

Ruby Roberts, left, spent more than four decades in local journalism in the North West and North Wales, working for a variety of titles including the Liverpool Echo.

She retired in 1986 but went on to enjoy a second career as a local politician and community activist in Shotton, Deesside.

As well as serving for more than 20 years on Shotton Town Council, she was also a founder member of the Shotton Community Association.

Ruby died last week after being taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital with heart failure and breathing problems.

Her daughter Sian Roberts, who also worked in local journalism as a reporter on the Wrexham Leader, described her mother as an “inspirational, strong woman”.

“She was a very colourful character and a lot of people knew her. She was a great friend to a lot of people,” she said.

“She was a strong woman, a great journalist, and an inspirational mum. We were very close.”

Ruby started out in journalism at the North Wales Press Agency in 1947, before working for the Daily Post, Liverpool Echo, North Wales Chronicle and Ellesmere Port News.

After moving to Shotton, she started work for the Deeside Advertiser, where she remained until her retirement.

Matt Warner, editor of the Denbighshire Free Press, started his career in journalism in the Leader’s old Shotton office in the 1990s and knew Ruby well.

He said: “Her stories about her days in local journalism were always entertaining and she was a great source of local knowledge.”

Shotton Town Council chairman Gary Cooper, described Ms Roberts as a “wonderful character”.

“I knew Ruby for more years than I care to remember.  I remember her as a reporter at the Deeside Advertiser, she was a great professional, honest and very well respected,” hje said.

Ruby’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, January 5 at Blacon Crematorium at 2.40pm.  Those attending are being asked to wear bright colours.

Donations in her memory will go towards the Shotton Community Association.

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  • December 22, 2015 at 5:32 pm
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    So sorry SIan to hear about your mum – my heart goes out to you
    She really was an inspiration and helped me a lot when I was for WEA teaching at the community centre – nothing was too much trouble.
    I shall remember her with great fondness
    Take care Sian. My thoughts are with you
    Love
    Andrea
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