Zoe was incredible.  She was one of those rare people who had genuinely done so much, and was still so driven, keen to learn and help.  From the first conversation it was clear she would be a great person to join the CAA, and that was borne out easily by how well she fitted in with the team and how much she seemed to enjoy her role.  She really took to everything aviation-related with absolute passion and commitment.  

It was always great to share a drink with Zoe after an audit.  She’d have picked up so many things, and always had a new way to drive the conversation and make everyone think.  And that’s before you moved on to the conversations about things other than work, where you would quickly find she had a life packed full of love, adventure and dynamism.  Whether it was the reveal of the extensive car collection, the hidden YouTube video of an appearance on TV (and the associated trip to Argentina), the triathalon experience, or the fact that if that wasn’t enough, she was also a fully-qualified personal trainer, there really wasn’t a dull moment.  And every conversation would wind its way back to Mike and the girls, and you would end with an impression of a wonderful family life, undeterred by the illness that so unfairly took her.

I only had the chance to meet her husband once (‘look for the tall one who looks like a hairy biker,’ were Zoe’s instructions!), and I want to pass on my genuine and hearfelt condolences.  It’s almost trite to say I can’t imagine what he and the girls are going through.  I hope there’s some small comfort in the knowledge that Zoe was really welcomed and loved here at work, we’ll all remember her and miss her, and even in a short time knowing her she made such an impact and left us all with an impression of a life truly well lived.

Will miss you Zoe; sorry we didn’t get as far as getting you back in a helicopter, and being charitable with my comments about rotary pilots…!

Mark