Mangaluru : Eunice Marie Britto, the first woman Mayor of Mangaluru, passed away at a hospital here on Wednesday.

Known for her able administration, Ms. Britto, a Congress member, was among the 50 councillors elected to the first Council of Mangaluru City Corporation (1984-1989). She was the first Deputy Mayor, while M. Sadashiva Bhandary became the first Mayor of Mangaluru.

She represented Falnir ward and was the Mayor for a period for one year from May 29, 1993. A graduate from the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Ms. Britto showed concern for the development of city and took steps to involve people in it.

Panambur Beach Development Project’s Chief Executive Officer Yatish Baikampady recalls the initiative taken by her during her term as Mayor to form the Civic Awareness Committee that had citizens’ representatives from each one of the wards. “She gave us the idea of ward committees when it was not in vogue then,” he said.

Senior councillor Lancelot Pinto said that Ms. Britto and the then Commissioner B.S .Ramprasad took many proactive steps for the development of the city.