‘Dear friend Denise, a nurse, soldier, Mayor’
A nurse who saved lives as well as fighting on the front line in the Middle East, will be remembered at a service at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday.
Former Southwark Mayor and Millwall fan Denise Capstick, a soldier in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, died aged only 56 in February.
The Bermondsey councillor passed away in her hometown of Wigan on February 5, supported by her partner Andy and her sister Jann.
Bermondsey MP while she was a councillor Sir Simon Hughes said: “The tragically early death of our dear friend Denise will leave a huge gap in so many lives and so many places.
“Denise was a brave and caring nursing sister and soldier, and an energetic, effective and charismatic Bermondsey councillor, Mayor of Southwark and executive member for health and social care.
“Denise gave so much of herself and her time in personal friendships and selfless public service. Many people will miss her hugely – and Andy, Jann and Denise’s wider family have all our love, thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.”
She was a matron at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, but was also in the Territorial Army, rising to the rank of Major.
She was first elected as Liberal Democrat councillor for Bricklayers ward in 1998, and then served as councillor for Grange ward from 2002 to 2014.
She was the Mayor of Southwark from 2002 to 2003, and only the second Lib Dem to hold that office.
Her tenure as the council’s executive member for health and adult social care was cut short by a drink-driving conviction in 2007.
She also stood as a Lib Dem parliamentary and council candidate in Wigan.
The service of thanksgiving for Denise at Southwark Cathedral (entrance from Cathedral Street/Montague Close) is on Wednesday June 23, from 3pm-4pm.
It will be followed by afternoon tea, coffee, soft drinks and refreshments, hosted by Southwark council, in the Cathedral Churchyard 4pm-5pm.
Facemasks are required.
Please confirm attendance by emailing janncapstick@hotmail.com
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