Auntie was always, and will continue to be, a part of me. She is in my soul and heart always. I will remember all our wonderful times together while growing up, and, most recently, catching up at the Otter on my trips back home. Auntie lifted everyone's spirit with her smile and giggle. She had a kind and inspiring knowledge of literature and animals. Such a caring spirit. I remember many holidays growing up when she came along and was definitely part of the family. Her love resonates through everyone she touched, especially my sister and I. We will miss her greatly; however her spirit continues through us all.

Noreen has been a name well known to us as a family throughout my life, as Noreen and my father went to University, and graduated, together, as well as working together. She travelled with my mother on holidays to Belize and Galapagos to name a few, and even a Safari! She had such lovely stories to tell of the recent cat, or cats! that had adopted her as their new home, with Noreen accepting this inevitable new house buddy with her unforgettable “oh!” She loved her rugby, and this was my last lovely visit, just as rugby was on the tv, talking about her Hull Kingston Rovers, with my partner Bill, also a rugby fan. She had our dog, Sophie that same day, whilst we went to a wedding nearby, but to be honest, we left early for the better company of Noreen, and Sophie! Miss you Noreen. You certainly will not be forgotten. Much Love Lucy, Bill, and Sophie xx

This is a lovely thought from Simon Griffiths (and by the way his photos are great!): You have very kindly been in touch with my sister Lucy about Noreen’s death. I am so sorry we won’t be able to join her funeral but did want to express my sincere condolences to you and all her friends and family. As Lucy will have explained, we have both known her all our lives as a life long family friend of our parents and colleague of our father, Paul Griffiths. I have such a lot of great memories of an incredibly intelligent, compassionate, amusing and amazing human being who was passionate about animals and always brought a real spark to any gathering she was part of. The 2 attached photos completely fail to do justice to any of that that as my total lack of photographic organisation means that I am sure we have loads far better than these. However, one, I assume is from an Edinburgh Boat club regatta and the other is from my father’s 70th birthday celebrations in October 2000. I’d be delighted if they joined the others on the brilliant much loved page and I will make a donation too. I will be thinking of her, and all of you during her funeral. I do hope it all goes well. I am sure we all share an MG sportscar full of memories that we will treasure for ever - (I’m sure we even have the photo to prove it but I cannot find it! With very best wishes Simon

Alison first met Noreen whilst she was studying for her diploma in radiology at Cambridge now over forty years ago and then again later when she was working for Fissons. Noreen showed the diversity in the profession having worked in practice then academia then industry followed in her retirement by part-time working again back in practice. Noreen saw many changes in the profession one of which she was involved in was with a division of the BVA aimed at supporting women in the profession and she was its president when it was discontinued after the numbers of women graduating escalated making it redundant. My most endearing and enduring memory is sitting around her kitchen table at her house in Shepshed with a light box and sets of x-rays being quizzed over what I could see (or not see!) as she supported me through obtaining my CVR in 1983 - so many happy memories Andrew

I will miss Auntie Noreen very much. She has been a big inspiration to me ever since I was a little girl. Her stories of being a veterinary surgeon and love for animals truly inspired me. I’m glad I was able to share with her my own stories of being in practice. I will miss all of the cups of tea, the bird watching and trips to farm cafes. Thank you for always believing in me xxxxxx

This is more of a thank you to Lucy Griffiths for sending the wonderful vet school photos of Noreen - her final year photo when she was one of the 4 women allowed in each year, and then the 40th year year reunion in 1996 (I'm guessing the extra women in that pic are all the wives!!). Lucy's father, Paul, was in the same year as Noreen at the Dick and they were friends for life. Thank you so much for sharing these with us Lucy.

We first met Noreen when she guided Ewan through his CertVR more than 30 years ago, and she became a much loved friend of the family. She enlivened an eclectic mix of our friends at many Boxing Day brunches, jollied us through various mornings “vetting in” at cat shows, and helped us run a series of Sunday afternoon free clinics for the dogs of Nottingham’s Big Issue sellers - many years before the concept of “Street Vet” came along. She also had the dubious pleasure of being the first locum we ever employed when we bought our practice, allowing us some much needed time off. Noreen was also partly responsible for when Ewan’s career moved into NVS work, and she took a keen interest in this side of his work for many years. In turn she became a good friend to our daughters, gamely attending various harvest festivals and carol concerts, and treating them to tea afterwards (taking delight in their mother’s angst as they charged between the ladies with blue rinses to get the best window seats at the genteel tearoom). More recently we were horrified to find that, having asked for a reserved parking place at a school event because we were bringing “an older friend”, we had been allocated the prime disabled spot. Noreen simply took Brin’s arm and limped into the school chapel in an exaggerated fashion ..... although the limp miraculously disappeared as she led the charge to the mulled wine and mince pies at the end of the service. Noreen retained a keen interest in the profession throughout her retirement and was particularly keen to follow how veterinary education was developing and the opening of the new schools. She was delighted when her great niece Ellie secured a place at Nottingham and immensely proud when she graduated and went into practice. We are proud to have known Noreen and shall miss her many attributes.....including her infectious laughter, her love of good malt whisky, her common sense and her no nonsense approach to life.

Although Noreen has been taken, I will never forget such a lovely lady. I was more than lucky to have known her and so grateful she agreed to become my co-author in the mid 1990's. Visits always a pleasure and I loved her stories about her beloved stump-tailed macaques "stumpies". Thank you for a cherished friendship, with many bright memories of our time together over X-rays or a "G&T". Arlene xxxx

What a privilege to get to know such a dignified and inspirational lady. So glad to have known you Noreen, and I’ll hold you in my heart. Lara x x x

Noreen was a staunch member of our specialist group despite spending the latter part of her career remote from clinical work. Her greatest achievement was undoubtedly the book on Radiological Anatomy she produced in collaboration with Arlene, which is widely used internationally. She regularly attended EAVDI meetings and for several years in the early 1990s helped me to run small weekend courses for RCVS Certificate candidates at Langford. She was an excellent teacher and I particularly admired her steady, logical approach to radiological interpretation and meticulous attention to detail. We also met socially on several occasions and I enjoyed her conducted tours of "leafy Leicestershire" and her company during a short visit to Paris.

We all loved Auntie Noreen dearly and she will be missed by many. She was passionate about the work WaterAid do and would have been so pleased to know that this site has been set up in her name, Sally

Thank you for choosing to create a lasting memory of Noreen Lewis with WaterAid. We hope you find this tribute a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.