My dear friend and colleague, Debra Manifold PS RI died on 3rd December 2002. You will have all met my Debra on your visits to the gallery and to our stands at outside exhibitions. Many of you will have enjoyed the many instructive and entertaining national magazine articles by her over the past few years. Many will also have attended the courses she ran at numerous venues all over the UK. All who met her will agree she was bright, funny and passionate about her chosen profession, and she shared that passion will all she met. Debra came into my life, as a 24 year old post-graduate of Fine Arts and Printmaking, in 1985 – soon after I opened my gallery in Pinner. A local girl, she first helped as a “Saturday Girl” and then joined me for twelve years as Gallery Manager. Together we ran our Gallery. I am grateful for her knowledge, “expertise and s’avoir faire”, and most of all for her loyalty over the years. Despite our age difference – I could have been her Mum – we were good friends and had more than our share of laughter together! Her artistic talents overcame her modesty to exhibit, and soon she became one of the most sought after painters in the gallery. Her powerful and highly original work was soon recognised by two of the top Art Societies in the UK. With pride, I watched her career blossom and the continual development of her unique painting style. We both recognised there was more to come and an exciting future lay ahead. What a waste! 41 is too young! She had everything to live for! She had so much more to give. We will all miss her powerful and delightful presence coupled with her “joie de vivre”. Her paintings will be her memorial.