Tributes paid to 'passionate' councillor and lawyer who has died

Julie’s career in the trade union movement and local government spanned six decades, retiring as principal solicitor for Stoke-on-Trent City Council just one week before she died.

Though her job banned her from holding political office, during a brief spell of retirement, Julie was elected Winsford town councillor for Gravel ward, alongside former town mayor, Joanne Moorcroft, in 2019.

She also served as Winsford town clerk in the mid-1990s.

She was a founder member of the Friends of Winsford Town Park, a tireless supporter of foodbanks, and a passionate advocate for low-paid workers and those living in poverty.

(L to R) Terry Savage, husband; daughter, Rosa Savage; Julie Savage (Image: Rosa Savage)

A devoted mum and grandmother, animal lover, reader, walker, and history buff, Julie was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in January this year and died just three weeks after she was given the news.

Husband and fellow politico, Terry Savage, who contested the Eddisbury parliamentary seat for Labour in 2019, said: “She was my best friend as well as my wife.

“She was a socialist all her life and was so passionate about representing working people.

Julie's career spanned six decades in the trade union movement and local government (Image: Terry Savage)

“She was reluctant to stand for election as she didn’t like conflict at all, and it took some persuasion, but she did it.

“It came as a great shock to learn she had cancer, but we hoped we’d still have a few years together.

“We never got that. She died before she could get any treatment. It can’t be put into words how much she’ll be missed.”

Julie (left) was a socialist all her life, a busy Labour party activist, and a dear friend of Cllr Nathan Pardoe (right) (Image: Nathan Pardoe)

Julie was born in Sale in 1957 and attended Sale County Grammar School for Girls after acing the 11-plus. 

She went on to Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University, where she graduated with a 2:1 in law.

Her first job was in the legal department of the shop workers’ union, USDAW, where she met husband, Terry, at a training course in London in 1985. The couple married in August 1993.  

She later worked for Manchester City Council and Vale Royal Borough Council, before being appointed Winsford town clerk in 1993.

Julie, pictured fundraising for the Friends of Winsford Town Park, was a founder member of the organisation (Image: Rosa Savage)

Julie went back to university as a mature student, qualifying as a solicitor, which led to a role as an in-house lawyer, and later principal solicitor, for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

She retired form this role in 2014 and became much more active in Labour politics, including a stint on Winsford Town Council, but was forced to step down when she returned to her politically restricted role at Stoke in 2021.

Together Julie and Terry had one daughter, Rosa, and two grandchildren, Milly and Aria. She was also very dear to Terry’s daughter, Teresa, and her sons, Thomas and Christopher.

Julie pictured with her second granddaughter, Aria, who was born in June 2023 (Image: Rosa Savage)

Daughter, Rosa Savage, said: “She was just wonderful. She was my biggest advocate and so, so supportive.

“I saw her every day, and when we didn’t live so close, we spoke on the phone four times a day.

“She was involved in every little part of my life. She was my best friend.

“Ours was a very political household. I was named after a socialist activist, Rosa Luxembourg, which gives you some idea of what life was like at home. She took me on my first protest as soon as I could walk.

“It’s a tradition we’ve kept up. My own daughter went on her first protest to allow Syrian refugees into the country when she was about five.”

Husband Terry and daughter Rosa both said Julie was 'my best friend' (Image: Rosa Savage)

Julie’s close political friend and ally, Cheshire West and Winsford town councillor, Nathan Pardoe, described her as his ‘political mum’ and paid tribute to her passion and intelligence.

He said: "Julie meant so much to so many and will be missed dearly.

"During her time at Winsford Town Council, Julie was the driving force behind modernisation. She was also the mother of the council's Labour group and kept us together.

"Julie will be remembered for her brilliant intellect and passion for doing things properly. I'll be forever grateful to Julie for her support, friendship and faith in me."

Julie was laid to rest at a humanist service at Macclesfield Crematorium on Wednesday, February 20.

Rosa is trying to raise awareness about gallbladder cancer. If you would like to learn more, visit the AMMF website.