Tributes have been paid to a former Tenterden Town Councillor who died of a rare form of kidney cancer, seven months after being diagnosed.

Emma Hannett was diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma of the kidney in April 2022.

She died on November 30, aged 54.

Daughter Josie Hannett said: “Nothing prepares you for losing a parent to such a wicked disease, especially as she was so young. She was extremely brave, funny, sassy and a force to be reckoned with.

“The only comfort we can take from this horrendous situation as a family is that she is no longer in pain.

“Our mum had a passion for helping other people and she always wanted to make a difference.

"From the hundreds of children she saved from abuse and neglect, to her time as a town councillor - she always wanted to help her local community.

“One of her passions about the town was Tentertainment. She was an advocate of people celebrating our local area and having fun.

“We will miss her so much and can’t imagine life without her.”

Mrs Hannett was a serving town councillor between 2009 and 2016. She was also a director of Tenterden Tigers Football Club between 2008 and 2012.

Paying tribute, Claire Gilbert, deputy town clerk of the council said: “She was a true diamond and one of the most down to earth councillors I have ever known or had the pleasure to work with.”

Mrs Hannett was married to Jimmy and had three children: Katie, Josie and James. She also had a grandson named Dougie and just weeks before she died she found out she had another grandchild on the way, due in May next year.

One of five sisters, Mrs Hannett spent her final days cared for by her large and loving family, including her mum and dad, Carol and David.

Mrs Hannett was a social worker in Kent and Sussex for more than 20 years.

A fostering fun day held in Teynham each summer for children in care by the private fostering agency she worked for will be named in her memory - something Mrs Hannett used to organise every year.

Josie added: “As a family, we would like to thank the staff at Ivy Court Surgery, the district nurses from the Kent Community Health Foundation Trust and the staff at the Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford who were all went above and beyond to care for our mum.”

Mrs Hannett’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, December 21 at St Mildred’s Church in Tenterden at 11.45am.

Anyone who knew her is welcome and colourful clothes are encouraged. Donations towards her chosen children’s charities can be made via TW Fuggle & Son.