Tributes have been paid following the death of Diana Merrett, who had been one of Falmouth's hardest working councillors until she was struck down with lung cancer last year.

Di, who would have celebrated her 69th birthday tomorrow (Wednesday), had only attended her son David's funeral last week after she had found him collapsed at their home in Conway Road at the beginning the month. The 48-year-old had suffered a heart attack and died of natural causes.

His death had come only weeks after Di's mother, Dorothy May Scheppel, had died at the age of 86, when Di was in hospital undergoing treatment. Di died around midnight on Sunday at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske.

A town councillor for the Smithick ward since 2007, initially representing UKIP before becoming an independent, Di was always outspoken and often controversial, but she had the respect of her fellow councillors. The town's mayor, Grenville Chappel, former chair of the planning committee who had Di as his vice-chair, said: "She will be sadly missed. She was a lovely lady with a heart of gold. During her ten years' service to the council, she did a lot for Falmouth.

"She had a great attendance record up until the last few months when she was not well. She was brilliant as my deputy on planning, she would go off and research everything as soon as an application came in. I didn't have to do anything really because she took it all on. She had had such a terrible year, though, and I last saw her at her son's funeral last Tuesday."

Cllr Candy Atherton also paid her respects, saying: "I took Di to No 10 as a community champion years ago and we served together in Smithick as councillors for the last four years. She cared for Falmouth and for the people of the town. She could get a bit too excited sometimes but I will miss her."

Former Penryn councillor and friend, Chris Smith, said: "You needed to get to know her to know the real person. Subtle nuance wasn't her style on any issue, but if you looked carefully there was a kind compassionate core that cared deeply about people.

"Having been hand bagged by her several times (literally!) she told me she didn't trust me an inch until Andy Hocking told her to meet me and give me a chance. That started a short series of lunch 'dates' together at Prezzos which were always hilarious, full of slander about anyone in authority or authority itself."

Malcolm and Elaine Leather said: "We have both been privileged to know Diana Merrett as a Councillor and friend. Diana was passionate about many aspects of life here in Falmouth and together with Andy Hocking worked tirelessly to resolve issues which have affected our town.

"She may have had some flaws and moments of impetuosity, as we all have, but she was honest, brave and loyal. As a hardworking councillor she has had few equals for the amount of hours and research she devoted to this role.

"We are well aware of the traumatic past few weeks when she lost both her mother and son. We sincerely hope that she has now found the peace she deserves."

Originally from Birmingham, Di had moved to Falmouth with her mother and son, initially to Trelawney Road where she formed the community group Cusca (later renamed the Awenack Community Group) with John Dudding and worked with the police and councils to combat antisocial behaviour and other issues. She often took to the streets at night to patrol the area to highlight problem areas.

Di was also very proud to have been one of the councillors who had originally fought for an Article 4 direction to be implemented to safeguard family homes from being turned into student HMOs. She was bitterly disappointed when Cornwall Council rejected the calls in 2012 and had wholeheartedly supported the fresh application, which has been successful and is due to come into effect soon.

Earlier this month after confirming she was not standing for re-election, Di told the Packet: "I have liked causing trouble. I don't think anyone can say that I didn't stand up to be counted."