I first met Louisa at Save the Children, where she was the monitoring and evaluation officer, way back in 1989. We were a gang of four, lots of fun, but also serious about our work. Through the years we stayed in touch, also united by the shared experience of mothering four boys. Louisa was always quirky, funny, gracious, and kind. She seemed to live on a lighter plane - never taking things too seriously, and yet knowing what mattered. In the last few years, she was a great counsellor after my oldest son, Luke, died. She was very present with people - something that she shared with him, in fact. You always left her feeling a little better. And even in the last few months, as she was managing her pain, she was still spreading positivity. She called me up, told me I was a great person, reassured me, telling me that she was grateful for the amazing life she had had. Even as she was dying, she was trying to make those around her feel ok about it. I reach for religious terms here - she was positively saintly, and seemed to have reached some stage of grace. Dear Louisa, how we will miss you. The network of friends you built is testimony to your great heart and achievements. Thinking of the huge hole you leave in your family, but also knowing that they will be sustained by all the love and laughter over the years. Thank you, dear friend.