Sola’s memories of Maggie for 25.08.2010 My mother, Phyllis, met Maggie at Reading University in 1962. When Mummy became a political prisoner in the 1980s, Maggie campaigned tirelessly for her freedom over many years and I remember her joy when she was finally released in 2000. In 1987 when I wanted to come to England, I came to live in Stanmore with the Noakes because of Maggie and she met me at the airport when I arrived from Jamaica. During my first few months, whenever I felt homesick I knew I could visit Maggie and I would always get a warm, loving welcome. She made me feel a part of her family when mine were thousands of miles away. I have Maggie to thank for so many new experiences: - my first shopping trip to Brent Cross where she bought my first jacket; - my first experience babysitting; - introducing me to mange tout and petit filous (but not at the same time!); - my first Christmas Carol Service here at St John’s Church. When I needed to get an A in GCSE French in 5 months for the university course I wanted to do, she reassured me it was possible and taught me French every Sunday while she cooked lunch, which I had to describe in French as part of the lesson. She was such a brilliant teacher that I went from almost no French to getting the necessary A. Maggie was an honorary Auntie over the past 23 years and even after I moved away from Stanmore we remained in close contact. When I returned to Stanmore in late 2005 Maggie and I resumed going for long walks and chats in the different local woods (something I enjoyed with her entire family when I was a teenager) and when I discovered by chance that she played table tennis we started to play at Harrow Leisure Centre. She was thrilled when I fell pregnant in 2006 and immediately offered to babysit and told me stories and gave me advice about labour and early motherhood. My life in England to date is intertwined with many special memories of Maggie, and I will always remember her warm, generous, loving nature and all she did for me.