Tributes have been paid to a dedicated member of the community and Abbots Langley parish councillor who lived in the village her whole life.

Ivy Young, 82, died on Saturday, February 2 after her health deteriorated following a stroke in November last year.

Ms Young was born at her house in Langley Lane, where she lived her whole life and threw herself in to all village events - light-hearted and political. She was a parish councillor and most recently chairman for planning at Abbots Langley Parish Council, where she was a key member for more than 18 years.

As well as throwing herself in to village decisions, Ms Young was secretary of the Abbots Langley Royal British Legion branch, village firework, carnival and Citizens Advice Bureau committee member and a member of The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA).

Also the vice chairman of the Abbots Langley Cricket Club, Ms Young could often be spotted at league games at the weekend.

Ms Young was a member of the Abbots Langley Royal British Legion branch for 23 years and was the main organiser behind the Poppy Appeal. She was inspired to take up this role following a stint as a Sergeant for the Civil Defence during the 1970s.

Her friend of more than 30 years and fellow member of the Royal British Legion village branch, Christine Driscoll, recalled many memories with Ms Young, who she described as a "very accomplished person".

Mrs Driscoll, chairman of the Royal British Legion, said: "I think the community has lost a very good person and a good friend.

"Ivy was a proper villager and did a lot of work here, there and everywhere and she would always attend local events."

She added the times she would see Ms Young at line dancing wearing her pink cowboy hat.

Ms Young was also a "real advocate" for fundrasing at the Abbots Langley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) where she was a member for more than 25 years.

Carolyn Buller, the service manager at the branch said she was recruited by Ms Young in 1996.

She said: "Ivy was a real advocate for fundraising here at the CAB and always worked so hard..

"She was so sharp and such an amazing lady."

As well as her fundraising talents, Ms Young served as Liberal Democrat representative of the village parish council after she was elected in May 1995.

Parish Councillor Jane Lay said she and her husband Councillor Leon Lay had lost a fond friend.

Councillor Lay said: "I will always remember her going around in her gold car and you would always find her in the parish offices.

"The council and Royal British Legion was her life and she did so much work for the community.

"It is a great loss to the village, us as friends and the council, and there will now be an empty seat at our committee meetings."

Always one to keep busy, Ms Young was part of a dance troupe called Polly Perk’s Pippins and often played the piano and accordion to entertain villagers at evening events.

Abbots Langley Councillor Sara Bedford, paid tribute to a dedicated member of the council.

Councillor Bedford said: "Ivy was dedicated to ensuring the best deal possible for local residents and well known across the area for her voluntary work.

"Ivy served as a member and most recently Chairman of the planning committee, where she paid great attention to all local applications. The council and the village are poorer for her passing."

Ms Young’s funeral will take place at St Lawrence Church, in High Street, Abbots Langley at 10:30am and the West Herts Crematorium at 11:20am on Monday, February 18.