Long-time colleague Graham Lawther described Ms Schultz as a funny and dear friend who was “full of life and a force of nature”.

“I was so proud to have Dawn as a precious friend and close colleague for more than 15 years,” he said.

“She was a real credit to the council and her beloved north-east, bringing so much joy to so many people.

“There will be no more walks together across the Aberdeenshire countryside, setting the world to rights – but she will be with me in memory forever.”

Lord Provost Barney Crockett said Dawn would leave “a very big gap”.

He said: “She was exceptionally well thought of – that has come through so clearly from all councillors and staff.

“She was a particularly lively, positive and creative person and her very untimely death was therefore all the greater shock .”

Former provost, councillor John Reynolds – whose children went to school with Ms Schultz before her career began with the former Grampian Regional Council in the 1990s – said he had “never known anyone like her”.

Former depute provost councillor Bill Cormie beamed as he recalled her as “straight as a die and always with a smile on her face”.

Remembering her role in the emergency planning that helped people evacuate their homes on a cold night this February after a suspicious device was found in Wallfield Crescent, Mr Cormie added: “She was just first class at her job.”