TRIBUTES have been paid to two popular town councillors who died this week. Independent councillors Marjorie Schikowsky and Pip Miller both served on Saltash Town Council. Mrs Schikowsky, 79, died in Derriford Hospital on Saturday after a short illness. Saltash town and Caradon district councillor Sue Hooper paid tribute to Mrs Schikowsky saying: 'Marge was one of the kindest most sincere people that I have ever met; she would offer practical help and confidential advice to all who sought it, in the knowledge that she could be trusted. 'Marge never sought publicity; she worked tirelessly and quietly in the background. 'At times she had to make unpopular decisions, which one often has to do. Marge did this fearlessly and was never afraid of whether those decisions made her unpopular. this was why people of all ages, abilities, cultures, together with cross party politicians and officers alike loved her.' A Saltash town councillor for the past 23 years, Marjorie was mayor in 1990/91 and mayoress to Eric Lewis in 1983/84. She also served as deputy mayoress in 1994/95 when her husband Ben was deputy mayor to Stephen Tait. Marjorie was a Caradon councillor for 17 years, retiring in April of this year. She was also on the Road Safety Committee and organised the annual road safety Jill and Juliet quiz for many years. Mrs Miller, 52, died of cancer early on Wednesday morning. She served on the town council in two periods; as a Labour councillor in 1995-99 and as an independent from 2002. She was a founding partner of Saltash company SBD Associates which specialises in public relations. Before helping to start the company, she served in the Civil Service as well as for the Australian Trade Commission in Chicago, USA, and as British Vice Consul at the British Consulate in Boston. Pip was a governor or St Stephens Primary School, Saltash, a founder member of the town's MCTI scheme and a member of the Saltash Partnership. One of the people behind the town's Celtic cross project, Pip also worked closely with Saltash.net Community School and Cornwall College Saltash on projects with the town council. Saltash Mayor Joe Ellison said: 'Pip was a woman of unswerving integrity, a fighter whose sole concern was the good of Saltash. 'She was the catalyst for our group of Independents and had a better brain than any of us. 'Her influence, her personality and sense of humour are a great loss, not just to us, her friends, but to all who came in contact with her.' Civic She leaves husband and business partner Ken, and sons John and Peter. As a mark of respect, civic funerals will be held for both councillors. The service for Mrs Schikowsky will be held at St Nicholas and St Faith, Saltash, on Monday, December 11, and for Mrs Miller at St Stephen's on Thursday, December 7.
