Mary and I became friends as student radiographers in Coventry. She was fun to be with, sunny, warm and generous but also down to earth, non-judgemental and very intelligent.  We could tell each other anything and we would eventually be a bridesmaid for each other at our first weddings. When I think of her now I  have a very clear picture of her driving with the radio turned way up and the two of us bouncing in our seats, singing along as loudly as we could, Mary’s face beaming. 

Distance, family responsibilities etc meant we saw little of each other over the years but we kept in touch and I particularly enjoyed one visit to Rugby to meet Mary and Dick’s family when they were quite small. She had always wanted a big family and she seemed incredibly happy.  My daughter and I were so pleased to be be invited to Ruth’s wedding and I rember how much I enjoyed Mary staying for the weekend after a get-together with two friends from our student days, Anne and Pat.  

In later life, I thought she was very brave suffering so many serious illnesses but only once, some years ago, did alarm bells ring when she ended a phone call with the words ‘Love you Wend’.  I had to call back and she admitted she was frightened she was going to die. However she had quite a few years left after that call and so it is quite a shock to know she’s truly gone. I know she’s left a huge gap in the lives of family and friends but how pleased I am to know how gentle her death was.  ‘Love you Mare’