29/8/1948-13/3/2022
Maria was an enthusiastically active member of the branch taking on many roles including BLO, CannyBevvy distributor, secretary, vice chairman and the branch’s first diversity officer.
She helped with the beer order for festivals and was a “meeter and greeter”.
She had letters and articles published locally and nationally.
She was encouraging to others to try new tastes in beers (even enjoying half a bottle of gueuze).
Her practical socialism and strong Catholic faith made her always side with the underdog. In her life helping excluded “no hoper” west end Newcastle school children with useful life skills, those who were homeless, those that abused drugs or alcohol and being a “safe” place for troubled children and parents.
Her gruelling last weeks were cruelly dominated by an aggressive cancer.
I will remember her as someone with a heart of gold that did not tolerate fools or inequality