I'm gutted to be writing this as I still can't believe Marie has gone but as a tribute to her, I have to.

I first met her over 20 years ago and liked her immediately because of her warmth, twinkle, gravelly voice and filthy laugh. From then on, whenever we met, I'd see the effect of her gravitational pull as she attracted more of my friends and family into her sphere. Everyone loved her. Everyone. She lit up the room and livened up the energy. She made everyone smile and laugh, and brought out the naughty in us all.

Before our wedding, she came to the hen night - and of course went to the stag night too. She helped me with my wedding organisation, she helped the groom with his trousers and me with my dress at the end of the night, both of us pissed as farts and cackling dirtily. 

I'm sad to say that we drifted apart after that - my life went one way with kids and moving away, and Marie's life went another way, which I followed more on Facebook than in 'real life'. But seeing her posts and her photos, she still made me smile. I can't believe we ran out of time to see each other again - I never saw that coming. Well that's my loss now. 

Sending you so much love, lovely Marie. I'll forever think of you when I hear Chas n Dave, or see the snooker on telly.

Gaby and Nick xx