Mozza
I’ve been putting this off all day because I’m lachrymose enough already, but here it is: my much (and widely) loved friend Maureen Brian died this morning. She’s been a regular (though not terribly frequent) commenter here since forever, so you may know of her that way.
I met her in person at QED (in Manchester) in 2012. It was between talks and I was cruising around and this woman came up and started a conversation with me, and we drifted into the next talk together and sat down – and then I saw her badge and exclaimed “Oh, you’re Maureen! I know you!” I knew her via Pharyngula rather than here, but I knew her as fierce in a good way.
After that we were friends, and a very wonderful friend she was, and god damn it I’m going to miss her.
Updating to add: here’s a guest post she wrote in April.
Maureen was a force of nature, and an incredibly kind one. She made a big impact on my life, somehow sensing when something was wrong and reaching out to me when I needed it. The world has lost a true light today.
That’s terribly sad. I always noted Maureen’s posts for their intelligence and compassion. She never failed to add value to a conversation. To those of us who knew her in real life, my condolences.
She will be greatly missed. I only knew her through her posts, but I always looked forward to them.
Up until now I’d hadn’t known anything about the person behind the name, but from the little online interaction we had it was clear that she was both on the right side and knew how to say so. Much sympathy to all who knew her better than I did and hugs to Ophelia,
The world is a duller, harsher place now. Shoot.
As James said, she was a force of nature. She could cut through the garbage and get to the heart of the matter. She was a kind and generous friend, enthusiastically giving of her time and energy to anyone visiting her beloved Hebden Bridge. I feel so glad, grateful and privileged that I saw her three years ago
for a lovely day of sight-seeing and putting the world to rights, and again twice recently in hospital, when she seemed to be improving. I gave her hugs and kisses from all her online friends.
Great big granny hugs, Ophelia; perhaps one day I can give them in person.
I met Maureen in her hometown of Hebden Bridge. PZ was doing a talk there and I’d been trying to decide whether I could afford the time to go. Maureen kept persuading me (“go on go on go on”) and eventually I said “OK, fuck it, I’m going” and she cheered.
Getting there on time was a challenge but it was totally worth it. I met Maureen on the way in and she asked penetrating questions about things I didn’t expect her to. In life, she was like in comments; she effortlessly steered the conversation in the direction of being more interesting and relevant. She was warm and welcoming and *interested* in everyone she met, even me. She had some questions she’d stored up about things I’d said in past comments in various places. That’s how she talked to everyone.
We spoke again after the lecture and tried to arrange a group meal together but it wasn’t practical because of her responsibilities as the organiser. We promised to keep in touch and we did.
In the last few months she invited me to visit her again and I jumped at the chance. That we were never able to organise that meeting is a regret that will stay with me.
Maureen was as insightful and fierce as she was kind. She was interested in everything and everyone. I mourn her not being here any more and I mourn the fact that there are so few people like her still around.
Nature was a force of her.
There are a number of commenters here of whom I am in awe at their ability to capture the essence of what’s being said (or hidden) and clarify it and elucidate it so that its significance is clear and obvious. Maureen was one of them. Her humanity, compassion and moral strength were bright and clear and will be missed in a world that desperately needs more of those things.