Dear Sophie’s friend and family,

I am really sad to hear of Sophie’s passing, we never met but spoke via email frequently. Sophie was a great supporter and advisor for our small charity working in institutional environments with disabled babies, children and adults in Romania. She helped us continue our work through some tough times and we will forever be grateful. RIP from everyone at The LIFE foundation

I am French and Sophie was my friend when I was a child. Our parents were very good friends and we were going on holiday very often together. We spent a lot of time together and I have very good remembers of theese moments. I'm so sad... If Lulu reads this, I send her all my friendly thoughts.

Still can't imagine that you are no longer around dear Sophie !!! You have filled your life with meaning and spread love and joy around you <3

Sophie was the light in every collaboration, every action, every person I am devastated I just now heard of her loss, it is very hard to accept as the Light is Love and Humanity and Sophie was exactly that. You are close to God now Sophie and there the Light is eternal and the Love of God for what you were. A victorious light ( I still remember you eyes and smile, how you radiated) in the darkness of excruciating pain and sorrow. God loved you very much and eased this pain and sorrow, now you are in the Light with the Light and Love.

Goodbye Sophie, your kindness and commitment will be truly missed. Rest in peace. Vera

Sophie, you inspired me and many of us. I will always remember your strong will combined with your empathy, your joyful and beautiful smile. I can still hear your voice from the neighboring office in Brussels (LftW-IDDC) where we worked together to advocate for inclusion and justice.

I met Sophie when i worked in Pristina. She will be solely missed a true lady , always polite with everyone she met an inspiration to her colleagues for her cheerful nature , commitment , zeal and professionalism. In the difficult times we went through in Kosovo Sophie always went about her work relentlessly and determined to meet her objectives. May her dedication lead others !

We will all truly miss you Sophie , may you rest in peace and god bless you! 

Sophie was a bright and steadfast friend and colleague in EDF office. She will be missed by those who had the privilege of working alongside her in the European institutions and the EDF.

Sophie and I met when I joined the European Disability Forum. A pillar of the organisation, she was welcoming and always had time to give advice and provide support. She was a true professional. She would walk up and down the long corridors of the European Parliament, in Brussels and Strasbourg, often late in the day, handing out policy papers and rounding up “her” MEPS as she called them, for meetings of the Disability Intergroup. We travelled together to many (soon-to-be) new Member States in central and eastern Europe, where she would inspire others to believe that they could work together to make the world a better place. Her curiosity and interest in other people, cultures and countries, led her to work in Pristina and Skopje. She loved working and living in both countries. Wherever she went, politicians, civil servants, taxi drivers, doormen, consultants, all would know Sophie. Some would fear her, most would admire her, nobody could fail to appreciate her dedication to her work.
Sophie was committed, professional, humble, kind, caring, a loyal friend, interested in others, inspiring. She did serious work but did not take herself seriously.
In Brussels we shared an open plan office and I had my back turned to her. I would hear her cajole European Commission staff and MEPs on the phone - she usually got her way! We would share jokes and the latest office gossip. She would throw out politically incorrect statements (“all [add any nationality] men are fat”….), take a short breath and then burst out laughing at what she had just said, her shoulders heaving up and down. She wasn’t fake. You could see immediately what Sophie thought about an issue or a person.
One way or another Sophie would have us all, colleagues and friends, eating out of her hand. She had different approaches - sometimes she would be blunt. Sometimes she would give you a helpless look. She would be persistent. And nobody who experienced it could forget the Sophie stare - how many waiters and taxi drivers buckled under the pressure of it, agreeing to do what several moments earlier they had said was impossible.
When she visited me, I would have to carry her up three flights of stairs to my apartment. Half-way to two-thirds of the way up, as I struggled for breath, Sophie would point out that they carried her “better” in Kosovo. I should have dropped her there and then. She would still be giggling about it when we finally reached the third floor.
I never met a better driver. Safe, fast but never furious.
I last saw Sophie just before the European lockdowns started. We hadn’t met for a while, but it seemed like only yesterday. She was her usual cheery self. We discussed Kosovo and Macedonia (a big fan of both), Brexit (against), Brussels (for and against), Trump (obviously against)… we joked and laughed together. As always, we had fun.
Sophie was the best of us. She was a wonderful person to be with, both as a colleague and a friend. I will miss her, I already do.
Condolences to her sister and all her family and friends.

Софи, Благодаря на живота, че ме срещна с теб, и ми даде възможност да почувствам светлината, но и непоколебимата отдаденост на справедливостта, които излъчваше. Мир на праха ти!
Sophie, Grateful for having had the chance to meet you and feel the light and the devotion to justice you spread around. Rest in peace!

I am deeply saddened to hear of Sophie's passing. I had the pleasure to collaborate with her during my time as a consultant for Light for the World. I very much enjoyed working with her, as her dedication and professionalism were always coupled with humour and kindness. I am so sad I will not have the possibility to meet up for a coffee and her telling me where life is taking her next. My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues and may she be surrounded with loving light on her onward journey.

Sincere condolences

Working with Sophie was a real privilege for me. Her smile, optimism, bravery to cope with everyday life obstacles was truly inspirational. I enjoyed in conversations we used to have on different topics. She was so dedicated and energetic in her work. I will miss her so much.
You will be greatly missed by your colleagues and friends from EUD Skopje. Thank you for being with us...
Rest in peace, Dear Sophie!

Sophie worked with us at Light for the World for 2 years 2006-2007 as our Liason Officer in Brussels. She was a wonderful person and a highly competent, professional, and adorable colleague. I presume that her project visit to Burkina Faso where she had intensive interactions with persons with disabilities including leaders from the disability movement, was an important point in her live. I was impressed that she had the courage to take on a challenging role in Pristina, and I was happy to see that she stayed in touch with us and continued to support us with advice and personal donations. I had the priviledge to meet Sophie, she enriched my live. I will always remember her voice, her smile, and our encounters.

I met Sophie when she was working in the EU Office in Kosovo and I was visiting on missions from Brussels. I was delighted to be able to work with her again when she became the contact point for Serbia, in her latest job. I remember her engagement, her perseverance, her expertise, and above all her wonderful presence, topped by a radiant smile. I was privileged to have known her and am so, so sorry that she is gone.

I will remember Sophie as a wonderful colleague and expert. Rest in peace dear Sophie. Condolences to her family.

I worked with Sophie for almost three years at the EU Delegation in Skopje. She was a source of inspiration for everyone and an example of commitment, knowledge and dedication. Sophie was one of those rare persons that could show to the rest of us what it really means to honour life and to live with dignity every day, no matter how difficult life can be. She was there to remind us that one should live in accordance with the highest values and principles, and through her acts always encouraged us to do better and to do more. You will be very much missed, rest in peace, Sophie.

Sophie is one of the people I greatly liked and esteemed. She had a strong personality, competence and professionalism, and an extraordinary, tireless commitment. I remember my collaboration with her as an enriching, deeply human experience. I will keep her memory in my heart forever.

I am deeply saddened by the news of Sophie's passing away. I was lucky to get to know her when she worked for the EU in Skopje. I was inspired by her positive attitude to life and all the good causes she was fighting for. She has always been a source of light and energy. You will be terribly missed, Sophie. Rest in peace.

Really sorry to hear this very sad news. I worked with Sophie during the early years of EDF and she taught me a great deal. Her humour, compassion, sharp thinking and analysis helped many of us, and she went on to achieve so much. I remember well her 30th birthday party - which was a beautiful and crazy celebration. My heartfelt condolences to all who loved and knew Sophie.... RIP

Was always a real pleasure to work and be in contact with Sophie.

Sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.

She will be missed but not forgotten. RIP

I am very sad to hear the news of the passing of our dear Sophie. I had the honour to work with her and experience her humble humanity ansd warm smile. She was not only a professional colleague but a remarkable person that led with her example in defending equality and the most vulnerable. She leaves a mark in all of us that had the pleasure to know her. May she rest in peace.

Some days bring the saddest news.
Sophie made a real mark on me. She was a wonderful counterpart to NEAR D5s team working on civil society and social inclusion, always ready to share her expertise to help make projects and programs better. I always saw her focused on impact, never looking for taking personal credit. After she moved to Brussels (and even in the transit between her old and new job) she continued, in a discrete and 'pro bono" way, to support the D5 team as we were working to prepare the regional EU COVID-19 response programs for vulnerable groups in the Western Balkans and Turkey. An example of her beautiful and generous personality that I will very much miss.

Une profonde tristesse me terrasse à l'idée du départ de Sophie. Nous avons collaboré intensément durant "nos années Kosovo", elle fut une collègue formidable dont le professionnalisme et l'humour n'avaient guère de limites. Elle sera regrettée et commémorée partout où elle a vécu et travaillé. Exemplaire à divers titres, le nom de Sophie et son sourire resteront une source de courage et d'humilité pour nous tous, une étoile éclatante dans le ciel de l'Europe. Mes plus sincères condoléances à ses amis, à ses proches

Meeting Sophie has always been a moment of happiness. Our encounters were always full of meaningful conversations about a multitude of subjects: her passion for education, for human rights, for animal rights, her adventures and job around the world. We are certainly very lucky to have met her in our lives. Rest in peace, our friend. Paula & Ale.

Dear Sophie, thanks for every time you took the floor and made the difference, for every time you gently re-directed the focus towards people in need. Listening to you was a pleasure and a learning experience. I am so extremely sad to read that you are not with us anymore. I will always remember your smile and strength. My thoughts are with your family and friends and colleagues. Rest in peace.

Sophie will always remain an important piece of our life period in Brussels and afterwards. We will always remember her enthusiasm and courage in everything she undertook.

Her shy laughter and sharp remarks all together will make part of the good memories we will gather of her.

Javi and Cris

We were colleagues at the European Disability Forum and good friends since then.

I have always admired Sophie for being a tireless fighter and a great professional. Thanks to her work, millions of Europeans with disabilities enjoy a better life, when they take a train, when they flight, when they have less discrimination in their working lives… Sophie pushed the European Parliament towards a better European Union for all of us. She did all that while being humble and challenging herself permanently. She was a living example.

Moreover I will miss her friendship, her conversation, her kindness and generosity. She has gone too early and quietly has left a permanent souvenir in my soul.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sophie in the European Parliament. At the time, she was representing the Disability Intergroup in an accessibility working group of the EP where I was a member, too.

I remember vividly when she could not get back to the garage in the EP where she had left her car. The lift would only go up. The doors would not open when it was going down.

It was assumed that you should be able to walk down the stairs back to the garage. That was an example of the mindset she was determined to change.

As everyone says here, Sophie was kind, dedicated, and a joy to work with. Those are things you should never take for granted. Her passing away is a cruel reminder that you cannot do so.

The occasions when I met her were, of course, only a small part of what she was doing to try and make the EP, and the wider world, a better place for all.

I would like to offer our condolences on behalf of the EP Disability Support Group to her family and loved ones. Sophie will be missed.

I met Sophie in Pristina in 2014 when I joined the EU office there. We were colleague for a year before she moved to Skopje. Pristina is not a friendly city for people with disabilities. However she found her way there and was very happy. I was impressed by her strong dedication and commitment, especially towards to the most vulnerables. I really appreciated her kindness and determination, being soft and strong at the same time. We were planning to meet for a coffee when the situation would get better. It will not happen in this world! I will miss her. I will always remember her determination and confidence. May you rest in peace!

Sophie was one of the most remarkable persons I met in the Commission. I will miss her unique talent being soft and strong in one person. My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. Dear Sophie, thinking of you, rest in peace.

I met Sophie when she joined EU Delegation in Skopje and we spent years and years meeting each morning at the reception among the heavy SAS doors. I remember, each morning, both of us discussing the weather, catching colds, fears, Brexit, the best food to order in town, problems in the education and how should be solved... Every morning, wishing her nice day in the office, once she steps in the elevator! Our last contact was last year when she moved to Brussels telling me she thought she saw me on TV commercial at Sofia airport wishing her safe trip. I got so sad that it wasn’t actually me being present to wish her good luck <3
Rest in Peace dear Sophie! You will never be forgotten! 

I had the privilege to have Sophie as a teammate for a year. Sophie was such a wonderful person and a great source of inspiration. She taught me a lot with her wisdom, joy, and bravery in any possible context. She was always taking life easily. We will deeply miss her. All my thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

I got to know Sophie on my trips to Skopje. She had moved to the EU delegation there, from the EU Office in Pristina. Sophie was a wonderful, dynamic and courageous colleague and a dear friend to many in Brussels, Pristina and Skopje. We were so terribly saddened hear of her passing. Sophie will be remembered with great fondness. Our hearts go out to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Sophie moved to Brussels and joined our team last year during the most challenging period, in the middle of the covid crisis, when we were all teleworking and could barely meet up. But this did not prevent her from integrating instantly, with both her douceur and determination. I remember how fun it was to listen to her sharing her views about topics such as Brexit or Trump. Thanks to her inspiring and strong mindset, she did enable me to change my perception about disabilities. And also about life in general. I will always be grateful for that. Merci Sophie.

Dear Sofie, my memory of you is that of a lovely but tenacious woman, always dedicated to achieving the goal you had set yourself: to bring the rights of persons with disabilities to light. I still remember the last time we met. In Belgrade, discussing school inclusion. I will not forget you.

Sophie started in the TAIEX team shortly before Corona prevented us from going to the office and so I never met her at work in person. But very quickly I came to appreciate her professionalism and charisma in video conferences and email exchanges. Last Easter when we realised that we would both spend it in Brussels, I suggested meeting for a walk. Sophie happily accepted, the weather was beautiful and I looked forward to finally meeting a new colleague for a long spring walk. Then we looked for a place to meet and Sophie asked, “Antje, do you know that I have a special walking condition? I don’t walk fast and prefer flat paths.” Euhhh, no I did not know that! We met in park Tenbosch very close to Sophie’s place and spent a lovely afternoon chatting along. I was full of admiration for Sophie’s joyful, positive & strong character; there was a lightness and so much beautiful energy about her – RIP beautiful lady!

J ai eu l occasion de travailler avec Sophie dans le cadre de l élaboration d une stratégie pour les personnes avec handicap au sein du SEAE.
J ai tant apprécié sa gentillesse, sa disponibilité, son ouverture d esprit , son professionnalisme et cette douceur qui touche au-delà du contact purement professionnel. 
Sophie laisse derrière elle une empreinte indélébile. 
Plein de courage à sa famille et ses proches qui ont eu la chance de l avoir à leurs côtés. 
De tout cœur  Pascale Ausloos

Почивај во мир, Софи!
Ќе ја паметам твојата посветена работа и упорност, твојата кротка насмевка, како и смиреното, но исто толку страствено зборување. Со својот стоицизам и низ личниот пример го менуваше нашето (не)разбирање на лицата со посебни потреби. Некаде прочитав дека живееме толку долго, колку што сме успеале да оставиме нешто од нас самите во тие околу нас. Софи, фала ти за влијанието и задоволство да работиме заедно!

I met Sophie last year when she joined ASDEC, the Association of Staff with a Disability in the European Commission. This is an in-house focus group set up by and for staff with a disability. Sophie rapidly demonstrated her expertise across a range of disability and inclusion issues, as you would expect of a former employee of the European Disability Forum. ASDEC committee members were delighted when she joined us on the committee at the beginning of this year.
Sophie was generous with her own experiences, readily volunteering to help EEAS colleagues on a project looking at the situation of staff with a disability in the delegations. She was professional, reliable, constructive, ready to contribute, while her passion and commitment could be glimpsed in the sparkle in her eyes.
She was a lovely person, we will miss her.
My condolences to Sophie’s family and loved ones.
Condolences also on behalf of ASDEC committee members Vera Pinto, Luc Gillis, Frederic Storm and myself, Janette Sinclair.

I will miss Sophie in my team but more so as a friend. I met her in 2013 in Kosovo and she immediately struck me with her optimism and dedication. Sophie was a strong and independent woman, and she was the best and funniest discussion partner.
I will always remember her happy smile.

From the moment I first met Sophie in Pristine over 10 years ago, I was struck by how cheerful, courageous and committed she was. She always thought first of others. Her vision was to help others. Which she did so often both in her personal and professional life. I love this photo because it shows her calm, confident smile. A light which will shine with all of those lucky enough to know her.