I first met Marian at Holy Family School when we were both 6and a half and we became friends for the rest of our lives. We made our first Holy Communion together and shared many experiences as we were inseparable. We both passed our 11plus and attended Cardinal Wiseman Grammar School. After that we always kept in touch regularly over the years, but our friendship really came into its own when Terry and I attended Dave and Marian's silver wedding anniversary party. From then on the four of us spent a lot of time together and in 2008 we had our first holiday together in Montespertoli, Italy. We all got on so well that the holidays(mostly in France)gradually became longer until we were spending a month at a time in various regions all over France. We all loved our shared experiences so much so that we were planning the next trip almost as soon as we got back!

Marian saw her family as her greatest achievement. She constantly praised Dave(probably not to his face, a typically Irish trait)for his organisational  ability, gardening, cooking and DIY skills, and she really appreciated his loving care and attention throughout her illness. She was immensely proud of Marie and Emma and was delighted at how loving and bonded she felt towards first Harry and then Caspi. Sadly Marian passed away before Cyra was born.

We will all miss Marian greatly, but I hope that as well as mourning her loss we can remember all  the good times we shared

a tribute from Aileen Thompson for my dear friend Marian