Tributes have poured in following the death of a stalwart of the Epping Forest community whose contributions will ‘resonate through generations’.

On Thursday, October 24, Norma Green OBE passed away in her sleep, aged 89, following a six week stay in Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

Her son Howard said: "Mum had a huge love for the area she resided in, as well as her charity work, particularly assisting young people to find career paths, it was her absolute passion and determination to help others.

“Unfortunately, Mum had an inconsequential fall down her stairs at home, this started a chain reaction she never recovered from.

“I cannot speak highly enough of every single member of the staff on the Tye Green Ward, Princess Alexander Hospital, from the orderly to the consultants, they were fantastic with Norma."

Born in Birmingham on May 5 1930, Norma moved to Barry in South Wales at the age of four.

Growing up in Barry, she joined The Salisbury Teacher Training College, staying in the grounds of the great cathedral.

Following that she moved to Tottenham, London, where she met her late husband Ron, where they both joined The Young Conservatives.

Whilst Ron moved into full time employment with the party, Norma continued as a teacher at two schools in Tottenham and gave birth to her son Howard.

Norma and her family moved to High Beach, Epping, in 1985.

She immediately got involved in local politics and became a High Beech Epping Forest District Council district and parish councillor and later Mayor of Waltham Abbey.

Norma was awarded an OBE for political services by Margaret Thatcher and was awarded Citizen of the Year by Epping Forest District Council in 2011.

Norma also did plenty of work for charities over the years.

She chaired the YES Partnership until 2018, a charity that supports youngsters at school in their interaction with employers when leaving school looking for work.

Pesh Kapasiawala, chair YES Partnership said, “Norma was a special woman, one of a kind, with a sense of purpose, passion and generosity few of us have.

“She was particularly passionate about supporting young people and started two legacy charities Waltham Abbey Youth 2000 and YES Partnership both of which are still serving the community today.”

Norma helped in the creation of Y2000, helping local Waltham Abbey children have somewhere to relax in the evening – the charity still going strong.

Norma leaves a son Howard, whom she engaged in much of her charity work and her grandson, Ben, a national and European professional racing driver.

Independent Loughton councillor, Stephem Murray added: “Norma was a very special lady and made a truly immense contribution to our local community.

“Her work with the Waltham Abbey Youth project became well known across the district and for many years she was the driving force of the YES partnership.

“I know directly, as a local teacher, how the YES project was appreciated by the district’s secondary schools for linking the world of work and local employers to so many of our district school students.

“Despite our political differences I held Norma in the highest of regard and her community contribution has and will resonate through the generations.”

The funeral will take place at The Abbey (Waltham Abbey Church), Waltham Abbey on November 11, at 12.30pm.

The family have asked for well-wishers to donate to YES Partneship, rather than send flowers.