Obituary: Valerie O'Rourke, community worker, 65

A minute's silence was held in her memory at a recent community council meeting.

Her son Brian said of her involvement with community councils: "Mum was very proud of her election on to the council, as it was a public vote and she felt that people were backing her. She always took her roles seriously and constantly thought of how she could best help other people out.

"She was always very generous – I now live in the house she lived in and I'm still finding presents she had bought for other people. She always remembered people's birthdays and loved buying presents for them."

Valerie was born on 11 June, 1945, spending most of her childhood in Warrender Park Road while attending St Thomas of Aquinas school.

She trained as a bookkeeper and worked in various places before marrying Ronald O'Rourke in Tollcross in 1967.

Valerie became a housewife, having two sons – Ronald, 39, and Brian, 38. She separated from Ronald when her boys left school, divorcing in 1992 and moving to Craigmillar.

She started attending Newbattle Abbey College, which sparked her interest in social justice, particularly equality for women and the rights of disabled people.

Brian recalled her being very happy at a women's project called Womanzone in Craigmillar, before she decided to run for election to the community council.

He said: "She was a part of many groups and committees and, even in hospital, mum was keeping up to date by phoning and writing to people."

He also recalled his mother's love of picnics, or "bus trips" as she called them. She would take a flask and packed lunch and go to the seaside, or anywhere else she ended up. Alongside bingo and socialising with her friends, this was one of her favourite activities.

During her time as community councillor, she was a member of boards and committees including the Neighbourhood Alliance, Craigmillar Castle regeneration group, Violence Against Women and many others.

She was also director of the Capacity Building Project. Her colleagues described her as a "vibrant personality" who "was passionate about the area she lived in and nothing was too much trouble for her".

Norrie Davies, original chair of the community council, said: "She was elected as a community councillor at its inception and was treasurer until her death. She also gave up a lot of time towards the regeneration of the Craigmillar Castle area and was tireless in attending meetings to make it a better place."

Valerie is survived by her two sons and grandson Aidan.