Maria was so wonderful to spend time with, being in her presence was inspiring, motivating and she brightened a room just by being in it. She was of course amazingly talented in her role but it was the way in which she dealt with every situation that made her unique and kept everyone going through the hard times. Her wonderful sense of humour and the laughter she brought to each day will never be forgotten and I’m going to miss the endless stories she told. Maria will be sorely missed on a personal and professional level. She has been a fantastic support throughout my career and I cannot thank her enough for all she did. My thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Heather Ward