It was with great sadness that we received the news this week that former member of the LARAC Executive, Mandy Pile, died at the weekend. Mandy collapsed while on holiday and despite the best efforts of the emergency services she could not be revived.
Mandy worked for Dover District Council who she joined in 1991. Regionally she played an active role in the Kent Resource Partnership, particularly in relation to the delivery of the East Kent contract on behalf of Dover DC and Folkestone & Hythe DC
Mandy was elected to the LARAC Executive in October 2013 as the South East Representative and also served as a nationally elected representative before standing down in October last year.
She was an active member of the Executive and her inputs were always insightful, intelligent, and purposeful. She offered challenge in exactly the right way and was keen to ensure that LARAC progressed for the benefit of its members. She also had a great sense of humour, which at times was very dry, and very funny and was sure to bring a smile your face if you had the fortune to be in her company in those moments.
One member of the Executive, on hearing the news, commented “she was a wonderful woman, very helpful and supportive when I first joined, she will be missed.” Another Executive member said just simply “Mandy was a star; she always had a lovely smile”
Carole Taylor, Chair of LARAC said “It was such a shock to hear this tragic news. Mandy was a very well-respected member of the LARAC Exec, and she was very supportive. We will always remember her with fondness and with great admiration for her work ethic. She will be sadly missed”.
Mandy leaves behind her husband Chris and two daughters Ellie and Sadie and our thoughts go out to them at this difficult time.
