Mary Edwards died at her home in Avon Road, on the Chignal estate, aged 68.
She was an enthusiastic member of many local organisations, including the Cathedral Mothers' Union, Trinity Road Methodist Bereavement Group and St Andrew's Church Evergreen Club.
Cllr Simon Jones, a friend of Mrs Edwards, said: "She doted on children, and spent much of her life as a nanny. She also loved going on excursions and trips."
Mrs Edwards, a widow with no children, joined the Liberal Democrats three years ago. She was a regular at meetings, and relished party social events.
Cllr Jones said: "Until the last few months she would walk long distances and was very fit."
Rev Paul Greenland, vicar of St Andrew's in Melbourne, took Mary's funeral service on Monday September 22, at Chelmsford Crematorium.
Mayor of Chelmsford Cllr Tom Willis, another Chignal Lib Dem who attended the funeral, said: "I got to know Mary well, and she was a livewire, interested in everything going on in Chelmsford.
"She frequently wrote to the local papers and attended meetings, such as those of the Chignal Estate Residents' Association. We will all miss her."