GARRETT, Ind. (WOWO): Just days after taking a leave of absence, Garrett Mayor Tonya Hoeffel has passed away after a short battle with cancer.

She took a leave of absence on September 2nd and was just a few months away from completing her first term as Mayor of Garrett. This after serving on the Garrett City Council and the Garrett City Plan Commission.

Garrett City Council president Brad Stump says Hoeffel loved the city and was a strong promoter of the community.

She graduated from Garrett High School in 1981 and worked with the school system for over 23 years.

Hoeffel passed away at her home on Sunday. She was 51 years old.