Tributes to former South Shields councillor and magistrate, 89, who made history when she became borough's first female mayor
A long-serving local politician from South Shields is remembered as having been a ‘force to be reckoned with’ during her years in the town hall and as borough mayor, which she largely spent building up the area’s cultural life.
Lilian Jordison made history in 1976 when she became the borough’s first ever female mayor, having been the first woman to hold the title once the borough’s then-local authorities became unified.
In a decades-long council career, Mrs Jordison also sat as the chair of South Tyneside’s Culture and Leisure Committee besides having been a long-serving magistrate in the area.
She first stood for the council in 1971 and her work in local politics continued up until the 1990s.
Family members say she was tireless in her work as a representative for her hometown, where she spent almost all of her near-90 years.
"Certainly, she was a force to be reckoned with,” her daughter, Lilian Malcolm, told The Gazette.
"She never described herself as a ‘housewife’ because, as she used to say, she’d never married a house.
“With regards to both the court and council, she was a very conscientious person. If there was ever a job to be done, she always made sure she did it.
“Above all, she was principled - she remained true to her values and wasn’t one to bow easily to pressure."
Mrs Jordison is remembered as having poured her heart and soul into her work developing the area’s cultural calendar, having a particular enthusiasm for sport in and around South Tyneside.
She was also a devoted Sunderland AFC fan, first attending home matches regularly in the 1950s with her husband and then later renewing her season ticket in the 2000s to share her passion with cousins and godsons.
"She was heavily involved with the organisation of the Great North Run, in terms of arrangements from the council’s side of things,” Mrs Malcolm added.
“She followed whatever happened with Sunderland – even in the interim years as a season-ticket holder at Roker Park and later the Stadium of Light.
"She’d be absolutely horrified to see where they’re languishing now.”
Lilian Jordison died, aged 89, in South Shields on Thursday, January 14.
