The funeral of “dedicated and respected” former councillor Val Rush, who died just before Christmas, takes place on Saturday next week.

Val represented Gascoigne ward between 1994 and 2010 and died on December 22. Flags at the Town Hall and the Civic Centre flew at half mast two days later in her memory.

Daughter Sam, 31, who lives in Surrey, told the Post: “It’s really difficult – I can’t really think straight at the moment.”

Sam said a lot of people had sent the family condolences, saying Val was “really nice to work with”.

She added: “She worked really hard.

“People admired her work.”

The Labour councillor oversaw the £25,000 government project to install talking CCTV cameras in 16 problem areas in the borough in 2008.

Some cameras featured prerecorded messages telling residents to stay safe, but also warning against any wrong-doing.

At the time, she said: “The talking CCTV cameras will help our residents and streets feel safer and make people feel less vulnerable.”

Council leader Cllr Darren Rodwell said Val was “a dedicated and respected member of the community”.

He added: “Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with her family and friends.”

Val, who had been Barking and Dagenham’s cabinet member for the environment, served on the council for voluntary services (CVS) board as well as the Gascoigne ward panel and Scrattons resident’s association. She also chaired and sat on a number of scrutiny groups.

But her deselection as a Labour candidate in 2009, along with 12 other Labour councillors, sparked controversy. Cllr John Denyer, also deselected, told the Post at the time “a lot of experience” had been lost.

As well as Sam, she is survived by husband Paul, 64, of Dagenham, son Ben, 42, daughter Helen, 35 and sister Jackie Baldwin.

The funeral is at Forest Park Crematorium in Hainault from 10.30am.