A former city councillor and Sheriff of Canterbury who fought to defend the district’s heritage has died.

Gabrielle Davis was a stalwart of Herne Bay, where she lived for a large part of her life, and was a founder member of the town’s Improvement and Conservation Trust.

Notably, she defied fellow Conservative councillors in 2010 in a bid to stop the city council from closing the Herne Bay Museum to save money.

Mrs Davis, 86, represented Reculver ward from 2003 to 2011 and was Sheriff for the 2009/10 year, supporting the late Lord Mayor, Harry Cragg in civic duties across the district.

Canterbury born and bred, Mrs Davis was a journalist in her earlier years and worked for several women’s magazines in London including Women’s Realm and OK, interviewing many celebrities including Camilla Parker- Bowles, now the Queen.

She also co-wrote a book entitled Royal Mothers: from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Princess Diana with Anne Wallace.

Later, she became Beltinge village correspondent for the Herne Bay Gazette.

As well as her enthusiasm for culture and heritage, Mrs Davis was an animal lover who supported many good causes concerning pets and wildlife.

She was fundraising officer at Cats Protection in Canterbury for six years and a trustee for Animals Worldwide.

Mrs Davis was a widow having lost her husband Noel, after 15 years of marriage, many years ago.

Her family says she had become increasingly frail in recent years and in 2023 took the decision to move her to a care home in Cheshire to be nearer to them.

Mrs Davis had many happy memories of time in Cheshire after being evacuated to Stockport with her mother during the Second World War.

Her cousin Catherine Murray said: “We used to visit Gabrielle in Herne Bay a few times a year, so it was lovely to have her close by in her final years and see her more frequently.

“I am pleased to say they were very happy years for her, and she was made very comfortable.”

Mrs Davis’s funeral will be held at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Sale, Cheshire, M33 3BF at midday on Wednesday, March 26.