I met Marilyn on our first day as trainee JPs in 1996; we were part of a terrific group known as 'the class of '96' and I understand we were regarded with some awe.  From the start it was clear that Marilyn had a formidable brain and a tremendous personality which made my training fun and demanding.  Marilyn's ability to analyse a problem and present a well-argued solution proved invaluable to me. 

 I left the bench after 10 years. However, I didn't lose touch with Marilyn as I had joined her long-standing book group, meeting on a monthly basis in each others' houses, discussing the books and quaffing a glass of wine or two.  Again, Marilyn brought to our discussions a perceptive analysis of the book be it the writing, the character development or the plot when it came to fiction and with non-fiction she was equally rigourous. 

 Marilyn's organisational skills were second to none and her bank of useful contacts and 'phone numbers a huge help when it came to needing a plumber, handy-person or a decent website to interrogate.

 In addition Marilyn was a very good cook; meals were always meticulously planned and we never got the sme thing twice! How she remembered I do not know.  It was a tremendous pleasure to spend an evening eating, drinking, laughing and talking with her and Stephen on a huge variety of topics.

  Marilyn, you will be greatly missed. It is a privilege to have you as a friend.

  Gill