Hazel’s love of children and vibrant friendly demeanour led to our first meeting through our two younger children at the mother and toddler group soon after our move to Woodmancote, in 1980. Both of us holding education in great importance brought us closer together enhanced by a growing friendship between our two older children on Hannah's transfer to the local primary school. Hazel, having often asked my views about its merits. I will never forget Hazel saying that she would hate her children to be educated by anyone who was less intelligent than her - one of the last things I reminded her of. As a primary teacher, I always thought her intellect far greater than mine and that of many of my colleagues. In many ways, Hazel and I were like chalk and cheese; her bubbly, dare I say it loud persona, quick wit and enthusiasm being in stark contrast to my own more introverted personality. Despite this, our families became more involved, sharing holidays and other celebrations, as our friendship grew. Experiencing her bountiful table has resulted in a couple of simple tasty ‘sauces’ regularly partaken of in the Kirk household which always bring Hazel and Ray to mind and, in my case, help keep the pounds on.. Of my husband Dave, she often despaired and would regularly say that she couldn't understand why they were friends as some comments he made, in what appeared to be in seriousness, were so alien to her views. Fortunately, she saw a different side though I don' think Hannah ever got over Dave trying to feed her peas once when she came for tea. Although we had seen less of Hazel and Ray, because of house moves, we valued our get togethers and phone conversations. The time just peeling away, anecdotes of her children, grandchildren and those of mutual friends tripping readily from her tongue. How I value the last hours I spent with Hazel which I could so easily have missed. Her positive attitude to her illness over the years, playing down the severity and throwing herself into life has been inspirational. During this past year she has often been in our thoughts, little things triggering memories or an anecdote that I would have shared with her. It has been a privilege for both Dave, our girls and myself to have known Hazel and been her friend.