I first met Nora in 1990 after I had contacted the C.A.B asking if they new of anyone looking for voluntary work .  Unfortunately I have been very poorly since early childhood and I have complex disabilities;I was looking for someone who could visit me regularly to either read to me or if I was well enough to take me out in my wheelchair.  Fortuitously they put me in touch with the delightful and wonderful lady that was Nora Jane Stephens!  We both knew instantly that we were kindred spirits-we shared numerous interests and passions, not least ballet, Tamara de Lempicka, all things Art Deco/Art Nouveau, elephants and The Great Gatsby.  We enjoyed some truly wonderful outings together/I did things with Nora that I had either never done before or sadly I have never done since.  Therefore many of the most treasured and beautiful experiences of my entire life have been shared with my true friend Nora.  I remember especially a glorious afternoon spent at Ashridge College were Nora wheeled me up and down delighting in the magnificent rhododendrons and then Nora sitting me beneath them and proudly showing me her wedding photos.  Also another memorable occasion when she took me to a Flower Festival.  Even to this day I replay them in my mind and they bring me great joy and comfort.  The very last time that I was well enough to be taken out to lunch was with Nora when she was glowingly pregnant with Alex.  I can picture her now In a lilac dress and amethyst pendant.  I have never seen her look so happy-she looked as if she had been lit from within.  I hold that lmage of her in my heart as the way I most want to remember her…  Nora never once let me down and came to visit me every week on her day off.  She made a commitment to me in which she never wavered.  She was always delightfully thoughtful, for example she brought me hyacinths wrapped up in a posy which grew in her front garden at the time.  Nora treated me with respect and dignity, was exceptionally kind, sensitive and gentle, always so full of life and vitality and we had a lot of fun together.  A bond was cemented between us which despite me moving away and protracted intervals when I was unable to contact Nora due to my own condition and circumstances always remained strong and resilient-like Nora herself.  Nora showed such remarkable bravery and fortitude during her terrible illness.  She retained all her grace and graciousness, still thinking of others before herself.  Selfless and kind to the very end.  Nora bore her suffering so valiantly and with such strength of character.  I feel such profound sadness at the loss of Nora and I will feel her absence for the rest of my life.  However I also feel such joy that I had the honour to be her friend.  Her indomitable, generous spirit and sheer love of life will remain undimmed.  I know that those that knew and loved her will have her imprint on their hearts forever.  Nora made such an impact on my life and I am unable to imagine my life without her.  I know that I will never again have a friend quite like Nora.  A truly fiesty, classy lady with one winsome personality.  She could light up a room with the sparkle in her eyes and that megawatt smile.  One of those rare woman who is genuinely beautiful inside and out.