I wish to share with you one of my most favourite memories of Ilse. This is a dinner we enjoyed a few nights before our wedding in Estonia (September 2017). It was the loveliest occasion, I remember how we all laughed so much that evening. Ilse and my Thai friend Jum bonded so nicely, and remembering the synergy of their jokes still puts a smile on my face. They had both just flown in from different sides of the world, but unlike Jum’s entire family, Ilse was not jet-lagged at all, not even a little bit. She said this just doesn’t happen to her, she simply travels and then goes about her business. Ilse connected so well with everyone she met that night – my Mom, and also Jum’s 7-year-old son who was only beginning to learn English. We were like a group of old friends having dinner together, joking about our lives, and enjoying every second of the time we had been given. 

This dinner is how I will always remember Ilse. Incredibly strong, unstoppable really, with so much care to give, and a wonderful sense of humour. 

My deepest condolences to the whole Family.