The former mayor of Birkirkara, Joanne Debono Grech, has died, the Labour Party said in a statement Thursday.

Debono Grech is the daughter of former Labour Ministerm Joe Debono Grech and mother of current Birkirkara councillor Yana.

The Labour Party extended its condolences to the Debono Grech family.

The Labour Party said Joanne Debono Grech "was also an important voice in activism and internal structures within the Labour Party".

She served as mayor of Birkirkara for 11 years and spent another 13 years as councillor and minority leader in her locality.

Joanne Debono Grech was a great woman who loved the people and fought her illness till the end, the PL said.