I have so many good memories of my lovely sister that will comfort me in the future.

She was a kind and generous person who had supported and helped me all my life and I will always miss her.

To write in a few words what my sister meant to me is a tough task. We shared an irreverent, mischievous sense of humour, a distrust of authority. We shared similar political views, we shared loving parents. What I did not share was her battle against ill-health. Her determination, bravery, humour and ability to help others in spite of these obstacles was inspirational. Her talents, both scientific and artistic were enviable. I will miss her dreadfully even though I know she is at peace.

There are not many poor working-class girls from Aldershot, born in 1939, who ended up with a PHD in Bio-Physics and working at the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine. She was the archetypal success story of the post-war grammar-school generation. But much more than that she was a wonderful human being; kind, generous, intelligent, a child-like sense of fun, funny (not always intentionally!), scatty, somewhat chaotic, amusing, loyal, a great friend, loving, caring, pragmatic, welcoming and immensely open-hearted.

I am so very grateful for the gift of having had a woman like her in my life for all these years; what a rich blessing it has been and how sorely I will miss her.