Sefton councillor Helen Duerden dies weeks after wedding

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Labour councillor Helen Duerden, elected to Sefton Council in June 2024, died suddenly on Thursday following an aneurysm.

Labour councillor Helen Duerden died on Thursday afternoon following an aneurysm. She was 55 and represented Netherton North ward in Sefton, having been elected to the council in June 2024. She had married husband Mike on 19 September, just over a month before her death.

Council leader Marion Atkinson said Duerden was 'the kindest, most caring person anyone could wish to meet'. She described Duerden as 'always full of energy, joy and passion for the work she carried out as a Labour councillor in Netherton North and as a volunteer development co-ordinator at Sefton Community Voluntary Sector'.

Atkinson added that Duerden 'was determined to support our most vulnerable by giving training and job opportunities to local people' and that 'her professionalism and dedication made a significant difference to many people's lives'. Councillor Peter Harvey wrote on social media that Duerden was 'one of life's beautiful people - caring, principled, tireless and always smiling, instinctively putting others first'.

Duerden is survived by her husband Mike, her mother Carol, three children, and siblings Rachel and Asa. The family have asked for privacy.

How it is being reported

• Tributes to councillor who died weeks after weddingSefton councillor Helen Duerden, who represented Netherton North Ward, died suddenly on Thursday.BBC Merseyside · 19 Oct, 15:44
• Tributes paid to 'kindest' councillor who died suddenlyHelen Duerden was elected in June, 2024Liverpool Echo · 19 Oct, 13:11

In this story: Helen Duerden · Marion Atkinson · Sefton Council · Netherton North · Sefton

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