I was at the University of Essex on the same Latin American Studies course as Fiona over 1984-88. I also lived near her when she was in Paignton and once visited her mother's house in, I think, Clennon Valley. We met up occasionally since and she once came down with our mutual friend Brigid to stay at my friend's house in Brixham.

Fiona and I were always falling out, but always fell in again later. It was a cyclical friendship and I am happy to say that we were on the up at the time of her death.

Sometimes our friction was due to my insensitivity and miscommunication. For example, while we were on summer holiday in Torbay, where we both then lived while at university, she once invited me to view the spectacular Paignton fireworks from the roof of the nearby Inn on the Green, where she was working as a receptionist. I was working during the day as a roofer's assistant for my then brother-in-law and turned up in my work clothes. I arrived to find Fiona beautifully turned out, but incandescent with rage. Apparently the other staff had assumed that I was her date, which my appearance very much belied.

Sometimes it was because Fiona was over sensitive. Shortly before we returned from Mexico I visited Fiona and other fellow-students in Merida. On one Sunday afternoon Fiona and I were window shopping in the town centre. She took to me up to a shop window to show me a Mayan chess set she was thinking of buying and asked me what I thought of it. By this time I was aware how easily we could fall out, so I said to her defensively, "If you ask me I will tell you." However, she insisted, so I did, explaining that chess was alien to Mayan culture and that, personally, I wouldn't buy it myself. The rest of the afternoon was distinctly frosty. She bought the chess set anyway.  

Fiona could be socially inept, but most importantly, her heart was almost always in the right place. She could be angry and irritable, but I recall no malice in her personality, which is rare. I have seldom had a personality clash with a better person and, for all our ups and downs, she was always worthy of respect.

Fiona was at heart an affectionate woman and perhaps deserved more affection from the world in return than she received.

Fiona had a strong personality and I will always have fond memories of her. 

Mark Axworthy