I regard it as a great privelege (though a daunting one) to have been asked by Ian and  the family to pay tribute to our lovely Mary on behalf of her many many friends. Mary had so many friends because she was such a wonderful friend herself - kind and compassionate and with a delightful sense of humour and fun. She had a great zest for life and her sudden and swift terminal illness has left us all deeply shocked.   However we gather here today to celebrate Mary's life  - and I have entitled my thoughts Love Laughter and..............Lentils!   I first met Mary almost 50 years ago when we met at Teacher's Training College in Salisbury. My first glimpse or her was of a pretty girl in the shortest of bright mini-skirts jauntily walking across the road to No. 38 The Close, which was to be our home for the next 3 mad,happy, carefree years! Mary was full of laughter and always fun to be with; she sparkled with crazy original ideas and we quickly made friends   - and shopping and partying and teaching practices seemed to dominate our lives. Mary was always so resourceful and creative. On a tight financial student budget she would nip out at the last minute and buy a snazzy little remnant of material at a knock down price -  she could always spot a bargain couldn't she?-  then that evening she would get out her sewing machine design a paper pattern and run up a gorgeous little dress to wear to a dance the following evening! She was so talented. She had a natural flair and sense of style and loved colour - especially purple, of course!   Then followed our teaching careers in Southampton and sharing a flat with other college friends. Mary was Infant trained and with her creative flair and enthusiasm enriched the lives of so many young children at that time. She later specialised  in teaching children with very specific learning needs and those with Autism and her colleagues who worked alongside her at Hope Lodge witnessed the compassion and dedication and difference she made to those young people. She was an inspiration to all, where again she brought love and laughter.   Mary continued working while she (single-handedly) raised her two lovely children Tom and Sally. She was a great homemaker and her creativity was always evident around the home - and the eye-catching outfits she often made for herself and the children. Around this time she 'went into business' and adopting a nickname she acquired at College brought out the first of her colourful 'Mary Mole' ties for young trendy men in the '70's.They were sold in several shops very successfully both in Southampton and even Bishops Waltham!   Teaching continued, not easy with young children, and also at this time a succession of foreign language students came and lodged with Mary, some of whom have become lifelong friends. Her kindness and humour and good cooking endearing them to her when they were far away from their own homes.   Love, laughter and .......................Lentils! I'm not quite sure when it was but Mary decided to become a vegetarian. I remember one Christmas Mary Tom and Sally came to spend Christmas with our family. Mary insisted on bringing her own nut and lentil roast. Everyone looked somewhat disdainfully at it - but once tasted it was Mary's nut roast that everyone wanted and the turkey that year was definitely second best! Mary's vegetarianism was characteristic of her ethical and sustainable approach to life which found expression also in her Art and Craft work.   In recent years her jewellery making flourished - using recycled materials -  and many of us I suspect own a unique piece that Mary crafted especially for us. Birthdays were excitedly anticipated as her gifts were so special and always beautifully wrapped. She was artistically gifted and wonderfully generous too.     And so in more recent years. Mary's life took a great turn for the better when about 16years ago she met Ian and these have been probably the happiest years of her life. Each gave to the other mutual love and laughter and Ian even came to love Yes , the lentils and Marys delicious vegetarian cooking and home comforts. Together they nurtured a love for France and when they subsequently bought their delightful French holiday home together  - Le Pigeonnier - they had many happy holidays there enjoying French village life and culture and again making more friends. Moreover through  their generosity and wonderful hospitality several of us here have enjoyed memorable holidays with them also. And finally her children, Tom and Sally have turned into fine young adults with so many of Mary's artistic and compassionate qualities. Mary was very proud of you both and when Sally and Chris produced first Nancy and then Betsy, she was thrilled to become a Grandmother.   Think of Mary and you think of vibrancy, love of life , colour and laughter and whether it was shopping or a trip to the theatre or Art gallery,  or simply wandering around a garden chatting - she was such good company. Until recently Mary appeared to have many more happy years ahead. Its still so hard to believe that she has gone but love reigned supreme all the short time of her illness at home where the family and especially Ian and Tom and Sally lovingly and sacrificially cared for her. But I suppose Mary's short final illness pulls us all up short and forces us all to face our mortality and consider what lies ahead.   The last time I was with Mary a couple of days before she died with the Olympics on quietly in the background, I was telling her that outside the Olympic Stadium was a beautiful wildflower meadow stretching all around it. Suddenly and completely lucidly Mary  looked at me smiling and said " Oh, shall we go there?" I like to think that perhaps that was her response to her Maker too, as He called her home, just a few days later.   Till we meet again Mary.