Little M

How could I forget to mention Noel's intelligence and wit. He got me into doing the cryptic crossword puzzle in the Daily  Telegraph that resulted in me buying that paper every day though I remained a staunch Guardian girl myself. Great debates and discussions he led us in especially during those Friday lunchtime pub jaunts. 

My comment comes 13 years after Noel's passing, which may seem strange, but I had to express my deep sadness at learning of his death. I worked with Noel at Xerox starting 39 years ago. I was a fresh faced 20-year-old trainee accountant, and Noel was my first manager. He took me under his wing and gave me the nickname " Little M." After a few months in his unit, I was moved on to the next which I found utterly boring. When Noel learned I was contemplating leaving the company and changing my field to marketing,  he invited me to become his junior accountant in the new leasing division that he was heading up with the prospect of eventually shifting into sales and marketing. 

Noel was, however, more than a manager. With his cheeky grin, his kindness and wonderful sense of humour he endeared himself and became a wonderful friend. Friday lunchtimes at the pub bonded our teams together, and I still have pictures of fun times we and our colleagues had together at company and outside of company parties. 

We lost touch when I left the UK in 1983 to live in Jamaica  and I've often wondered what happened to him and tried to find news of him online. So sad to finally do so today and to learn of his death. I'm not surprised by the account I read here of his humour and fighting spirit in the face of his illness, and of his compassionate, humanitarian work on behalf of those battling HIV. I will always remember him with fondness and be grateful for the kindness and friendship he gave me all those years ago. May his spirit continue to inspire us all.