When Marilyn and I were introduced at Bob and Helen’s wedding 30 years ago I had little idea that she would become such a treasured, lifelong friend. For me, Marilyn was every bit the English lady, just like her mother was before her. In all the years I have known her I never heard Marilyn utter a single swear word. She didn’t shout, she didn’t criticise, she didn’t find fault with anyone. Marilyn was both kind and gentle but she was also strong and passionate. She was no push over! Robin was reminiscing about the many occasions when he was giving Nyliram, as he called her, a hard time and she would put him firmly in his place with now now Robin and a playful tut. We spent many very enjoyable holidays with the Makins family. First when Marilyn was pregnant with Jessie and later when our two families would head off for summer holidays together. Even with our six very young children those holidays managed to be relaxing, mainly thanks to Marilyn’s calm and gentle nature. I remember one such holiday in Portugal when it rained and rained. We were all tearing our hair out cooped in a tiny apartment where the only table and chairs were on the balcony. I remember going into Marilyn's and there she was calmly serving breakfast to Jessie, Tom and Nick as they sat one above each other on the ladder that led to their sleeping loft. Marilyn seemed to have the ability to find the best in everything and everyone. She was open to all people and to all ideas. If she disagreed with your point of view she would never say that you were wrong but in her kind and gentle way she would remind you that there was more than one way to look at something…….. Some of you know Marilyn through work, others through book club, choir or coffee Saturdays. Some of you may have befriended her when the children were at school. However you know Marilyn I have no doubt that you will have experienced the same fairness, compassion and respect that she always showed me. I was very pleased to be able to spend so much time with Marilyn during her illness. When you are diagnosed with cancer you become a part of a club that you never wanted to belong to but Marilyn dealt with this in the same undemanding way she approached everything in her life. I doubt she ever pressed the bell in hospital or the hospice to look for help. She would wait until someone came along and then ask if they wouldn’t mind, at some point, getting her whatever it was that she needed. Sometimes, this could take some time, and whilst most people might complain about the state of the health service, Marilyn talked about how hard all the nurses worked. Marilyn’s attitude towards her illness can only be described as stoic. I feel privileged to have shared that journey with her and honoured to have been with her at the end. Marilyn was a remarkable woman, a wonderful wife and mother and the very best of friends. We may no longer be able to meet her for dinner or coffee and a chat, but her kindness, her thoughtfulness, her friendship will remain with us forever.