HUNDREDS of people are expected to turn out for a memorial service on Friday in honour of Ballarat's first female mayor Jessie Scott.
Mrs Scott died peacefully on Monday morning surrounded by her family. She was 95.
Family, friends and colleagues yesterday described Mrs Scott as an admirable leader whose legacy would be hard to match.
Mrs Scott was elected Ballarat's first female mayor in 1976 and served unopposed as a councillor for 11 years.
She oversaw the restoration of Sturt St's historic fountains and was instrumental in preserving the historic integrity of Bakery Hill.
But it was the "War of the Roses" that was arguably her most memorable achievement. As mayor, Mrs Scott campaigned for roses to be planted at the western end of Sturt St to beautify the entrance to Ballarat, a crusade that
earned her the nickname the "Ena Harkness of Sturt St".
"It didn't meet everyone's approval but she got her way," then town clerk (CEO) Ian Smith said.
Mr Smith described Mrs Scott as a strong community worker who devoted much of her time and abilities to voluntary positions.
"She was unique. Other women have made contributions but nobody has reached the heights that she has and I doubt we would see anyone who would in future," Mr Smith said.
Mrs Scott was renowned for her strong will.
"She had a very acerbic tongue .th.th. but by the same token she had a heart of gold and was extremely generous," Mr Smith said.
Former Ballarat Mayor Judy Verlin said Mrs Scott was a "strong stalwart of local government" and that her passing was a sad loss for Ballarat.
"Jessie was involved in just so many community organisations and had volunteered so much of her time to this community," Ms Verlin said. "I don't think we'll see the likes of a Jessie Scott again for a long, long time."
Mrs Scott's links to Ballarat span generations. Her grandparents first arrived in the Eureka city in 1854.
In 1958 her husband Gordon Scott served as mayor, starting what would become a family tradition. In 1970 Mrs Scott became the city's first female councillor and was later followed by her daughter, Janet Dale.
Mrs Scott was the first woman president of the Begonia Festival committee and the first female member of the Ballarat Water Commission and Sewerage Authority.
Mrs Scott was also a foundation member of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and a life member of the Ballarat Horticultural Society.
She received the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1978. Her other achievements and associations are too numerous to mention.
Mrs Scott is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her family were inundated with messages of condolence yesterday and told The Courier they would remember her as a "strong role model"
of honour, integrity and fairness.
"She was a role model not just to us but to countless others and one of the things I remember about her is her ability to speak to anyone," grandson Andrew Dale said.
Mrs Scott's eldest daughter Janet thanked the community for their tributes and the staff at St John of God Hospital.
"The caring nature of the medical, nursing and pastoral staff at St John's was superb and appreciated very much by members of the family."
A service for Mrs Scott will be held at St Peter's Anglican Church at 2.30pm on Friday.