Maria, Mark told me you were in hospital & would not be going back home He asked me to send a voice message so he could play it to you. I did & told you all my latest news & what a wonderful friend you are to me. He said you liked hearing it. Shortly after came the very sad news you had passed away. I didn't want to believe you had gone & the tears flowed. You had known me as a child but it was only when I came out to New Zealand that we began to really get to know each other & became very good friends. We shared so many wonderful times together spanning 18.5 years. There was so much fun, laughter, tears, Mitchell's cancer, my cancer, ups & downs of life, trips out/away, walks, beaches, drinks together, parties, gatherings. I nominated you on a radio show & you won $1,000 & of course our spiritual church. Years of brilliant times & memories (I have the photos to prove it!). As I look back on the wonderful life I built in New Zealand, you Maria, Mark & Mitchell were a big part of it. Maria, you were like an older, wiser, loving, caring & kind sister to me. Always looking out for me. You were like family. You were always so supportive to me, as I was to you. We were always there for each other. Maria, a lovely lady, someone I was lucky & blessed to call my friend. One of a kind. Your infectious laugh, smiling face & wonderful sense of humour lit up the room. You were strong & battled the cruel disease of MS bravely & dignified for so long, but you don't have to struggle any more my dear friend. You are free, it's time for you to rest in peace. I know your loving energy is all around us. You have left a wonderful legacy to smile every day, enjoy life, stop for a while, smell the roses, look up at the sky, sit under a tree, listen to the birds, hug your friends & family, tell them how much you love them, be grateful for what you have & who you have in your life. I'll love & miss you always & never forget the amazing friend I had. Rachel Henty

To my strong, always laughing, and truly remarkable sister Maria, You will be deeply missed, dear sister, but I take comfort knowing you are now at peace. We always treasured our time together and those long-distance calls that kept us close across the miles. Reading the tributes from so many people shows just how much you meant to everyone — you certainly left your mark and so many beautiful memories. I’ll never forget one of our visits to New Zealand, when I was given the “challenge” of pushing you in your wheelchair up those steep paths through Cornwall Park. Navigating those slopes turned into an adventure all of its own — and when I earned my gold star for the effort. That’s a moment I will always hold close to my heart. We will carry countless fond and special memories of you, Maria. Your spirit, your laughter, and your love will always be with us. We will also cherish the sunflower, bee and ladybug picture that Mark painted of our memories in New Zealand and will look at this and always think of you. Your joy, spirit and your strength will always be remembered. Fly high now, Maria, and rest in peace. You will always be in our hearts and missed forever. All our love, Gerald, Jill, Gemma, Daniel, Daniel, Sophie, Cooper, Jesse & Jordan

I am the widower of Maggie, mentioned in the tribute from Sheila and Dave Pritchard. Although I did not know Maria very well myself I know Maggie was so fond of her, and often reminisced about the times the three girls laughed together. Wherever Maria and Maggie are now, I’m sure that they are laughing. Peter Exley

Maria, my lifelong special friend♥️ Who brought so much joy and laughter in to our lives. We grew up together, went to school together and had our son's a few months apart. Maria was funny, brave, sincere, caring, happy, kind and well loved. She was always living in the moment and embraced life to the fullest . Wherever a beautiful soul has been , their is a trail of beautiful memories. Rest in peace my dear friend Maria. She is much loved and will always be remembered♥️ Love Sara, Jazzie, Maria-Lucia, Fabiano and all the family ♥️

What can one say about our dear Maria, other than she is a superhero who has endured and fought bravely over the years, and must have asked herself time again, "why me?" If there were any convincing reasons and approaches to cope - love and courage were her weapons. She demonstrated the way - and latter years found a degree of acceptance as a therapy. But of course, the people closest to her - Mark and Mitchell have also shouldered the burden - and to them a heartfelt thankyou. Only a close family truly knows the pain and perhaps joy and love each day brings. If she is now anywhere in the afterlife, I know she will be seeking out a hill and power-walking to the top. And then she'll find another. That's Maria - who aimed high even when that terrible MS threatened to overwhelm her. So dear sister, God bless you. You are forever in our hearts and thank you for your love and spirit of laughter. Love John, Denise and Jack.

Dearest Maria, you were Wonderful, Brave and Courageous and had a Great Sense of humor. We have known you, Mark and Mitchell since the Starship days where we first met, Mitchell and our Candice were both on Level 7. You were a mother Lioness looking after your Boy!!! Your positive thinking and outlook on life was contagious, lots of fun and laughter. I will miss our video chats immensely. Your struggles are over RIP my friend xox Heartfelt Condolences to Mark and Mitchell xox Special thanks to Maria's lovely carers xox

To my lovely tough strong loyal sister. You deserve your peace Mini after so many years fighting MS & Parkingsons, with a sense of humour & always up for a laugh. Looking at your tributes here Maria, you have left your mark on everyone you have ever made friends with. You were a larger than life character full of fun. I've seen the word tough to describe you many times & I think you proved you were the toughest of all your five brothers on many occasions. "You were one of the boys Maria " You was bridesmaid at our wedding & you kicked off on the morning of the wedding because you felt the hairdresser ruined your hair & you weren't going through with it. (My days 🤣) you took some talking round. You were full of surprises too. You, & Mark came round to our house when we had our first child Katie to paint some cartoon characters on one wall. We thought Mark was doing it all but turns out you could draw as well. I had no idea you were that good. Now your with Mum, Dad & Clive. You all deserve peace together ❤️ It's time to say see you later. I love you always Maria. Love Gordon lesley Katie Bradley luke Beau & Bluebelle❤️❤️❤️❤️

A photograph of Maria in 1990 at our villa in Spain

Dave and I became friends with Maria and Mark when I started work at Flexer Sacks in the Winter of 1986. Maria, Maggie and me worked in different offices but we all became close and socialised outside of work. Maria was full of fun and laughter that was contagious. We remained good friends for the rest of our lives. Sadly Maggie passed away in 2022 leaving a big hole in our lives. Maria, so full of life was an inspiration and a true friend. She believed in the power of positive thoughts and distant healing. Her and her Mum gave me healing when I was diagnosed with cancer in 1987. In the May of 1990 we spent two weeks in our villa in Spain. Maria was very proud of the fireplace that Mark had designed and we had amazing time together. My brother David came as well as Dave’s brother and sister in law from Canada. Wow what fun and laughter we had around the fireplace together. We had hoots of laughter trying to build a dry stone wall around the villa in the summer rain! Maria loved living in New Zealand and we are so happy that we managed to spend several weeks with her, Mark and Mitchell in 2007/8. At that time the MS was causing her difficulty in walking but she managed a trip to the South Island also to the Coromandel region of the North Island where we stayed in a Bach with beautiful views across the bay. One evening Mark and Mitchell suggested that it maybe possible for Maria to get to the top of Mt Paku. The following day with a lot of effort she achieved the walk to the summit. She was so proud. She told us that the view was worth the awful trek. That really sums up Maria’s determination to fight and this she did. The last time we were all together was in 2013 when Maria, Mark and Mitchell somehow managed the long flight to the UK. They stayed with us for a short while and we had a lovely evening again catching up with Maggie, Peter and David. Maria has always been in our minds. We miss our virtual chats but she is now at peace.

There are no words that describe how sad everyone, especially Mark and Mitchell, are feeling following the death of Maria. Clive would want everyone to remember Maria’s infectious laugh, smile and amazing tenacity. He looked forward to their Tuesday morning Face-time conversations, putting the world to rights. Sending prayers from Jacqui and family across the globe.

Well, my dearest, loyal, feisty and fun-loving friend it’s time for us to part company again but as always we manage to find one another even across the miles, so this isn’t goodbye just Tara for now. We first met 43 years ago in Brighton working for American Express and forged a life long friendship facing highs and lows but most of all love and laughter so I thought I’d share with your family and friends a few memories which I treasure. I remember well the weekly torture sessions you dragged me to at the Pineapple fitness and dance studio, well torture for a chocoholic like me, you of course were in your element. I’m 5 foot and couldn’t reach my leg up on to the ballet bar which you found highly amusing accompanied by your unique raucous and contagious laughter much to the delight of the rest of the class. After each workout session, feeling proud of ourselves, we would happily go to the Mock Turtle Cafe and summarily stuff our faces with all the goodies on offer we could manage. My second memory, i think you will detect a theme here, is our nightly fitness sessions to the Jane Fonda workout video at my flat after work followed by fish and chips accompanied with blue curaçao. I’m not quite sure how we survived that one sweetie!! Last but not least across the airwaves between France and New Zealand, the best of times, our midnight video chats where we would reminisce good times , bad, happy and sad but always parting with laughter. This is my Maria a kind loving, vibrant, resilient, strong, courageous and loyal soul. But if I may, please remember her laughter filled with love and joy as this encapsulates who Maria truly is. Goodbye for now my cherished dearest friend I will carry you in my heart always. To your family and friends, I send you much love. I’m sure Maria will be watching over you all in her new journey where ever that may be. Signing off as always: Love you sweetie Adieu

To my dear friend who I met 25 years ago. You had a heart of gold and despite the challenges life threw at you managed to stay positive and support your family and friends. The world has lost an angel. Be at peace Maria.

Maria is lovely person she is honest, she love all her brothers she always talks about her brothers mum and dad and she love her son and husband a lot even her husband family she love to get out the house going shopping or the park and her coffee group miss you a lot 😭😭 she love to dress up to nice every day she a beautiful person every time I do something for her she always says thank you she's happy when her son doing something fun she laughed and she always talk about her husband and her son 😭😭 I love you i wish you still here I have a lots of things to tell you 😭😭😭R.I.P beautiful I know you happy with your mum and dad and brother thank you for everything 😭😭😭😭 i can't believe you gone 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️

Dear Maria we will always remember your laughter, smile and wonderful sense of humour. Despite MS you were still the most beautiful person inside and out. We will miss you very much. But heaven has gained a beautiful angel ❤️ you are no longer in pain, so fly high and keep watching over your family. All our love forever xxxx