Marilyn loved words and I will struggle to find the right words that truly express my love for her. For Marilyn was not only my friend and colleague for 25 years she was my inspiration, my mentor. The wisest, kindest, most generous person I ever met. She also changed my life in the most profound and lasting way. She introduced me to my partner which brought me happiness but also had it not been for Marilyn’s introduction my two sons would not exist. The gift she gave me was a family. And she too was part of that family. Whenever I was in trouble or need of advice, an opinion, or someone to laugh with, I called on Marilyn. We even laughed when during a phone call we thought she had laryngitis, not knowing that she had in fact been struck by the most devastating diagnosis – a cruel and savage MND that took her from us far too soon.

I was lucky enough to visit her just before lockdown and promised to visit again on a regular basis. But that was made impossible by Covid 19 so we corresponded by text and emails instead. And all the while, the devoted James and her beloved Rosie and Charlotte did everything they could for her. Marilyn lives on in them and her grand-daughter, Bea – and in my boys and all of us who had the privilege of sharing a part of Marilyn’s world.