Marie Trainer, Haldimand councillor and former mayor, dies following car crash in September

HaldimandCounty Ward 4 Coun.Marie Trainer, a former mayor of the county, has died as a result of complications due to a car crash on Sept. 7, her son Steven Trainersaid in a Facebook post.

The Oct. 31 post saidthat "at 730 this morning our beloved mother passed away from complications due to her September 7th car accident."

"Hopefully you and Dad have a happy Heaven mom."

A statement on theHaldimand County website said,"our deepest condolences go out to Councillor Trainer's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Flags at the county administration building will be flown at half-mast to honour Councillor Trainer and her decades of service to the community."

Trainer was first elected as a councillor for Hagersvillein 1985, then went on to serve as mayor of the Town of Haldimandfrom 1991 to 2000. She was also themayor of Haldimand County from2003 to 2010.

Trainer has been serving the county as Ward 4councillor since she was elected during abyelectionon June 20, 2023.

The statement from the county said she "had deep roots in the community and worked hard to ensure that resident concerns were heard at the Council table. She was an advocate for sustainable land use and preserving the community's traditional rural values, and sat on several boards and committees throughout her time as an elected official."

Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said, in that statement, that "she will be remembered for her dedication to public service and determination to make the community she knew and loved the best it could be. Her absence will be felt by everyone who had the opportunity to know her and her legacy will not be forgotten."

Haldimand-Norfolk MPPBobbi Ann Brady said on Instagram that she was "blessed to have Marie as a friend and mentor. I'll miss deeply her genuine smile and warm hug as she greeted you, which was typically followed up with business matters."

Her family plans to honour her life with a visitation at the Hyde & Mott Chapel atR.H.B. Anderson Funeral Homes inHagersville, Ont., on Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7p.m. to 9 p.m.