There is a Maureen-sized hole in the universe. She will be missed.

A true London Irish lady. A fighter, a hard worker and fiercely independent to the end. She was an adventurous traveller, from the 1960s to the 2020s, though Camden and Hampstead was always her home. 

She single-handedly raised two sons, whilst also working full time. She built an interesting career working for some 30 years for the Royal Mail in HR and, latterly, in a senior position arranging the ships and containers that transport surface mail across the world. 

Tough and steadfast, with a firm, intelligent opinion on almost any subject you might care to mention, she was ferociously critical of authority and politicians. 

She embraced her Irishness to the end. And could be found, with her walker as a dance partner, jigging away alone to cassette tapes of old time waltzes, even at seventy nine and three quarters.

She made an impression on everyone. And she would never be told. But she was also possessed with great intelligence, kindness and generosity, as her friends and family will know, though she never let on how many people she helped. Those people know and will never forget. 

Faithful to the end, she understood what being Catholic meant – there are few perfect souls but she strived every day to fill every day and she knew that God saw in her heart a very good woman.  

She died suddenly, totally unexpectedly, and can almost certainly currently be found berating St Peter demanding to be sent back for at least another decade. 

RIP Maureen. Put your feet up. Your work here is done. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam