The daughters of an Aberdeenshire councillor who lost her five-and-a-half year battle with cancer have described her as a “fighter”.

Joanna Strathdee, who represented Huntly, Strathbogie and the Howe of Alford, died at home on Sunday, aged 60.

Tributes have flooded in for the former Aberdeenshire SNP group leader, and yesterday the flags at the council’s Woodhill House headquarters in Aberdeen flew at half mast.

Last night, her daughter Nicola Thom said: “She was the strongest and most inspirational person that we knew and we were so proud to call her Mum.

“She has put up some battle over the past five-and-a-half years and never let it take over or slow her down.

“She was definitely a fighter. She just turned 60 and we had a big celebration for her. We are all really glad we made that a big thing.”

Despite being diagnosed with ovarian cancer – primary peritoneal cancer – in 2009, the mother-of-two continued to serve her ward until her final days.

Born on a farm in Rothiemay, she attended the local primary school and Keith Academy before becoming a bus driver for Cheyne’s Coaches, Stagecoach and Hardy’s.

Establishing herself in Huntly, Mrs Strathdee was elected as a local member for her home area in 1999.

In her spare time, Mrs Strathdee and her husband Mike Lockheart enjoyed exploring on their motorbikes, and had been hoping to make the trip to Aviemore’s Harley Davidson convention, Thunder in the Glen, this weekend.

Mrs Thom said her mother had a real passion for Scottish and north-east culture and “travelled the world” as a competitor in Highland dancing competitions.

She became the youngest ever Highland dancing teacher in Scotland when she was in her 20s, and devoted much of her time to teaching local youths in the traditional skill.

She also enjoyed spending time with her family, which also includes daughter Jennifer Paul and grandchildren Caelin, three, Aiden, seven, and Travis, 10 months.

Her family said she “never made a fuss” about her cancer struggle, and continued to dedicate her life to “helping local people.”

She also took part in the Courage in the Catwalk event in 2013, helping to raise cash for north-east cancer charity Friends of Anchor.

Mr Lockheart said he had lost his “best friend and soul mate”, adding: “We are all very touched by the outpouring of good wishes.”

Mrs Strathdee’s funeral will be held at Huntly Cairnie Glass Church on Friday at 1pm.

Fellow councillors left “heartbroken” by colleague’s death

Councillor Joanna Strathdee’s colleagues said they were “heartbroken” at the news of her death.

Aberdeenshire Council co-leader and SNP group leader Richard Thomson led yesterday’s tributes, and described Mrs Strathdee as a “much loved friend and colleague”.

Mrs Strathdee served as Aberdeenshire’s SNP group leader from 2007-2010, and also stood in the Westminster elections for Gordon in 2005 and Aberdeen North in 2010.

Mr Thomson said: “Joanna was a wise head and a much loved friend and colleague who was respected right across the council chamber.

“Joanna battled bravely against her illness for many years but never allowed it to stop her carrying out her duties as a councillor or living her life to the full.”

The council’s Liberal Democrat group leader Karen Clark said: “Joanna’s strength and courage shone through over the last few years and she was an inspiration to us all.”

Alex Salmond, MP for Gordon and MSP for Aberdeenshire East, described Mrs Strathdee as an “exceptional councillor and an extraordinary human being”.

He added she was “totally dedicated to her beloved town of Huntly”.

Mr Salmond said: “I called in to see Joanna recently at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and instead of finding her in the ward I met her being wheeled out into an ambulance as she was totally determined to get back to Huntly for the weekend.

“This was a lady of courage and conviction and she will be missed by family, friends and colleagues to whom she was a constant source of inspiration.”