TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa’s City Council had an emotional meeting on Thursday, sitting in their official capacity at the Community Redevelopment Agency.

It was their first meeting after the untimely passing of fellow council member Gwen Henderson.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Henderson experienced a life well-lived.

“It’s a difficult time for our entire community, but I do think to describe Gwen Henderson as a force of nature is a very accurate description,” said Castor.

Friends and family of Henderson sat in the meeting, as council members spoke about their shock at losing her so soon.

“We didn’t just lose a colleague and a co-worker, we lost a friend,” said Council Member Alan Clendenin.

Council member Charlie Miranda said that Henderson worked to understand the issues that impact the city.

“She counted everything she ever did, she studied it, she didn’t wing anything and everyone, including myself learned from her and things we never thought about,” said Miranda.

Council member Guido Maniscalco says Henderson was a joy to work with.

“This is a worst-case scenario. How do you fill these shoes, someone that, the mayor said, is about living life, Councilwoman Henderson enjoyed life each and every day,” said Maniscalco.