Cardiff is grieving the loss of its respected Lord Mayor, Cllr Jane Henshaw, who passed away peacefully this weekend, surrounded by her family.
Cllr Henshaw will be remembered for her tireless dedication to the community and her enduring commitment to public service, leaving behind a profound legacy of compassion and leadership.
Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “The passing of Cllr Jane Henshaw is a profound loss for Cardiff. She was a tireless advocate for our city and its residents, always striving to make Cardiff a better place for everyone. Her dedication to public service will not be forgotten, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones, shared her condolences, saying, “Jane was a beacon of hope and kindness in our community. Her smile was contagious and lit up the lives of all who met her. Her commitment to helping those in need was truly inspiring. She had a unique ability to connect with people and make them feel valued. She was proud to be Lord Mayor of Cardiff and of the Lord Mayor’s Own Scout Troop. We will miss her.”
Chief Executive, Paul Orders, also paid tribute, stating, “Cllr Henshaw’s kindness, grace and desire to help those in need left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She was a source of compassion to so many. The Lord Mayor’s empathy and support for staff were second to none. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.”
Cllr John Lancaster, Leader of the Conservative Group at Cardiff Council said:” It was with great sadness and shock that I learnt of the passing of Cllr Henshaw. Jane was dedicated to the service of her community and the wider city, and was particularly proud to serve as Lord Mayor, being especially keen to use her term to benefit her chosen Cardiff Foodbank charity.
“Her warmth and friendliness will long be remembered by Councillors on all sides, together with her love of nature and environmental issues. On behalf of the whole Conservative Group, I wish to send our condolences to Jane’s family.”
Cllr Rodney Berman, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group at Cardiff Council said: “I am so saddened to hear this. Jane was such a passionate advocate for her community, and I had the pleasure of serving with her on some of the council’s scrutiny committees over a number of years. She always had a valuable contribution to make and wasn’t afraid at times to ask awkward questions about the issues she cared about. She was well liked and respected by all and will be deeply missed.”
Cllr Henshaw represented the Splott ward and had been serving as a Labour councillor since 2017. Her tenure was marked by numerous achievements, including initiatives to improve local infrastructure, support for community projects, and efforts to promote cultural and social inclusivity.
One of her most notable contributions was her support for the Cardiff Foodbank, her chosen charity during her tenure as Lord Mayor. She was deeply committed to addressing food insecurity and poverty in the community. Speaking when taking up her role as Lord Mayor, Cllr Henshaw said: “Through my work on the Council, I have seen at first hand the great work the staff and the volunteers at the charity do, how they are changing lives in these difficult times and helping people out of poverty. It is a sad fact of life today that they exist at all, of course, but I am determined to help Cardiff Foodbank in any way I can this year.”
Cllr Henshaw leaves behind her partner Bill, four children and five grandchildren. Her daughter, Angharad Anderson, supported her as the Lady Mayoress.
As a mark of respect, flags will fly at half-mast from council buildings across Cardiff, as the city marks her passing.
Her family wishes to thank all the staff at The University Hospital of Wales, Velindre Cancer Centre and Marie Curie Hospice for their support, care and kindness.
