I first met Deirdre when I was 14 years old and going through some very difficult school years at the time. Deirdre had taken early retirement from Teaching and very kindly took me under her wing. I starting lessons with Deirdre in her home over the next few years until I started College and work. I cant begin to express my gratitude for all the encouragement, love and care Deirdre gave me and how this has made such a difference in my adult life. Deirdre and I remained friends ever since and I am now nearly 50 years old. I know how proud she was of what I had gone onto achieve and she knew how much I admired her courage in the face of illness. I will always remember my lovely friend and as Deirdre would say, I send 'Heaps of love' to all her loved ones. Sarah Regan (Nee McConnell)