EVANS CITY — For borough council Vice President Kim Armstrong, the unexpected death of Councilwoman Linda Bicehouse is more than a loss to the municipality.

“We were almost like sisters,” a stunned Armstrong said Monday morning.

While details are still incomplete, it is known that Bicehouse, 67, died over the weekend in a hotel room while visiting family out of town.

Bicehouse, a resident of Evans City for 45 years, was elected to council in 2011 and took her oath in January 2012. She won re-election last year to another four-year term.

She was the mother of Steve Bicehouse, the director of Butler County Emergency Services and the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department Chief.

Armstrong said Bicehouse served on the council’s buildings and grounds and human resources committees, plus the Butler County Council of Governments and the Evans City Rotary Club.

“She’ll be a very great loss to our community, and as a friend,” Armstrong said. “It’s a shock to everyone.”

Council President Lee Dyer, who is in China to watch his granddaughter compete in acrobatic gymnastics, is devastated at the death of Bicehouse.

He said Evans City has lost a big advocates.

“Her energy and enthusiasm, along with her commitment to and love for Evans City, will be truly missed,” Dyer said.

Bicehouse’s family could not be reached for comment Monday, but Armstrong said there are as yet no funeral arrangements.