I met Debbie 27 years ago. We were both teachers in a school on the Wirral for children with severe learning difficulties. Debbie had started at the school a couple of years before me, but our enjoyment of being with people with learning difficulties made us immediate kindred spirits. Debbie soon got me involved in a number of school clubs including disco dancing and together we took a group of adult men with learning difficulties on a barge holiday up the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Debbie always seemed to do things with such good humour and was able to laugh about the things like cooking that didn’t come naturally to her. She was loads of fun to be with but cared very deeply about those that were vulnerable, either people or animals. Over the years we had moved on, changed careers etc. but kept in touch through annual newsletters and occasional visits. We both became adoptive parents and, although difficult at times, both found the experiences wonderful, challenging, heartbreaking and rewarding. Debbie has known disappointment and heartache. She has been so open about her life but her positive attitude and humour never ceased to amaze and delight me. She has always been a pleasure to be with, supportive and fun. She has given me many happy memories and a serious mistrust of goats. It was a privilege to be with Debbie towards the end of her life. It was fantastic to meet her much-loved sister Joy, and delightful to see how Sarah had turned into such a capable young woman who, I know, Debbie was immensely proud of. I was able to meet Aya who supported every one of us with her calm dignity. My thoughts are also with Pete as he continues to live in Serendipity surrounded by so much of what Debbie loved, but without her.