Beverly Owen, wife of the former Mayor of March Councillor Kit Owen, died in hospital on Thursday, May 22, 2008.
It is believed Mrs Owen had been on a life support machine in Peterborough Hospital after collapsing on Wednesday while shopping in Tesco.
The couple who live in High Street, March, have a daughter Lisa, a son Jonathan, and a grandson Oliver.
Mrs Owen was well known in the area for her success as a former beauty queen. She later worked for 12 years in the Conservative Party office in March where staff have been left reeling from the news of her death.
Fenland District Council leader Geoff Harper said today: "We are all very shocked by the news. Our thoughts are with Kit and his family at this very sad time.
"I would like to offer the condolences of the whole council and council officers to Kit and the family."
In the 1960s Mrs Owen enjoyed considerable success in beauty competitions and reached the finals of the Miss Anglia contest several times. Locally she competed with Kath Hubbard, Penny Hicks and Miriam Saunders in numerous competitions.
In 1967 she qualified for the final of Miss Anglia for the fifth time after winning a place in the Miss UK final and being chosen as Miss Hunstanton.
Beverly Owen, who died in hospital yesterday, and Councillor Kit Owen.
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