Dear David, Siobhan and Ian

We never met but I have known your wife and mom for many years. I think we met somewhere in 1997 and became colleagues when I joined BetzDearborn in ’98. We kept in touch and generally met a few times a year for a “working-lunch” – basically telling each other what stupid things our co-workers and bosses had been up to since we last met…

I can’t begin to tell you how sad I am to hear about her passing. She was one of the most genuine people I knew, always down-to-earth and with a weird sense of humour that we shared – she was always on my distribution list for silly or slightly off jokes.

I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. She always spoke lovingly about the three of you. It was clear that, although her job often kept her away from you, you were the centre of her life. And I guess she was the centre of yours too...

I wish there was something I could do or say to help, to make this easier to carry, to soften the pain you must feel. But I can only share your pain - I can’t believe I won’t see her again. It is so unreal, so unfair…

I hope with all my heart that you will find the courage and strength in each other and your loved ones to deal with this terrible loss. I hope that that one day the loving memories of good times and happy moments, will prevail over the enormous pain of loosing someone so special.
I hope Siobhan will grow up the independent and strong woman her mom saw in her. I hope Ian will become the gentle yet determined man his mom expected him to become. I hope, Dave, that one day the pain of losing Maeve will become bearable.

My heart cries for you all. The world will never be the same again - a good person has passed away and left a hole that can never be filled. We can only hope to learn how to walk around it – remembering the beautiful person that was there and maybe one day smiling through our tears at that memory.

Please take care of each other and know that – although it doesn’t help – you are not alone in hurting.

Ralph Leyssens- 24-10-12