We'll miss you, Maureen

Last week, one of our dearest friends, a member of WiSER, Maureen Bickley, passed away after a long and arduous struggle with cancer.

Maureen was an amazing woman - accomplished, dedicated to her research and most of all, fun. There are some wonderful photographs of Maureen, taken at a 70s Party showing her sporting a fake pregnant belly, her explanation being that she spent most of that decade pregnant.

In positive defiance of an initial prognosis of a shortened life, she went on for almost 10 more years, completing her doctorate, becoming a grandmother three times over and continuing to present her research at conferences, teaching and being a support to her colleagues and students.

When we knew Maureen would be coming into the GSB, there would be a palpable frisson of excitement - partly to see what outrageous shade of red her hair would be this visit and partly to bask in her presence. She carried wisdom around her shoulders like a cloak. She could spout references, statistics and pithy retorts at will.

We will all miss you, Maureen.