I met Marion when we were rangers in Halton, based in Runcorn and I fondly knew her as Mad Marion. She was great fun to work with and always supportive. When I think of her I remember the mischevious twinkle and her laugh, great food and hospitality.

My outstanding memories are of.....

Being huddled over jam buns in a freezing cold ranger hut putting the world to rights.

The Tinsel Trail and making festive decorations.

Visiting her at Drumlanrig Castle.

I arrived in the dark, my first long journey in my very first car, to a room that was bathed in the very very dim glow of the 'new' eco friendly light bulbs. Taking a good hour to fully illuminate, my eyes slowly adjusted to a room painted in bright yellow gloss paint, shelves packed with industrial sized Ecover & Alpro products and a family of 'cute' house mice that Marion was feeding in the corner of the kitchen. I asked what had possessed her to paint a whole room in gloss paint. It was so absurd that we just laughed out loud. That was Marion. Hence the nickname.

But the most magical memory is of a walk at twilight to a ruin in the middle of a field that was home to a snoring Barn Owl that silently glided out into the night right in front of us. It was mesmerising and a moment that will stay with me for ever.

In fond memory Marion

Karen x