TRIBUTES were paid to a “generous, kind and selfless” woman who was at the centre of Newport’s Baneswell community, after she died last week.

Dianne Burrows, 70, fought cancer three times since 1998, passing away on Monday, February 3 after her latest battle with a rare form called carcinosarcoma.

Tributes poured in for Mrs Burrows, a well-loved and popular member of the city.

In 2004, she was named the council’s Newport Citizen of the Year for being the driving force behind the Baneswell Community Centre and being instrumental in many local and fund-raising activities in the area.

She was integral to the centre being built and ran it with her friends and husband for over 30 years, on a voluntary basis.

“She was loved and respected by so many,” said Julie Hond, her daughter. “I’ve received cards, flowers and messages from people that I don’t even know. Baneswell was her life. She was very determined and was always fighting for anything that she believed in.

“One time, after she had been diagnosed with cancer for a third time I was worried as I couldn’t get hold of her, which was unusual.

I rang her neighbour and was told not to worry as ‘Dianne was off protesting about something that was happening in Baneswell’. It summed her up. She was always fighting until the end for anything that she believed in.”

David Hond, her son-in-law, said: “She was a lovely, selfless lady. Community and social justice was absolutely everything to her, we really hope the community centre will not be closed down now.”

Mrs Burrows owned Forte Snacks, in Cambrian Road and ran the restaurant at city centre pub the Pen and Wig. She would host street parties, call bingo on a Friday night at Baneswell Community Centre and support anything in the area that she strongly believed in.

Tributes from people living in the Baneswell community were also posted on social networking sites.

Tzana Cox, 39, said: “Dianne was a big part of Baneswell and will be missed by a lot of people. It was a pleasure to know her; she was kind and would help you with anything.” Gillian Simmonds, said: “Her organising of the street party in Bailey Street for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee springs to mind straight away. Such a shame to hear she has gone. Baneswell has a massive piece missing now.” Her funeral is at 11.30am on Monday at Newport Cathedral.