A message from Rachael’s husband, Professor Nick Taylor.

It is now over three months since my best friend, soul mate – my wife Rachael – died suddenly at home. It was a traumatic experience that has altered my life and the lives of our sons, Sean and Sam, forever. We had just over twenty five years of marriage and extremely happy years they were.

To end as it did is something I still cannot fully believe but nonetheless it is important for me and my sons that we don’t become bitter about what we have lost, but instead take real pride and joy from the fact that we did have so many wonderful years together.

I know that in particular many of our School of Law alumni will remember Rachael with great fondness. From her early days as a teenager in the office to latterly the School’s Education Service Manager, very many students will have had contact with her, and I can’t imagine that contact was anything less than helpful, supportive and good-natured. I have heard on many occasions since her death that students referred to Rach as their University mum. She really would have loved that.

Rachael’s contribution to the School over 33 years is enormous and the influence she has had on so many right across the globe is more than she would ever have imagined. She was, in the simplest terms, a really good person. We are very committed to ensuring that her name lives on and continues to influence students in a positive way.

To do this initially we want to create a garden in her memory next to the School of Law's home – the Liberty Building. Rach was a keen gardener and loved spending time on her allotment with her dad. A garden in her memory is most fitting. It will offer people a place to unwind – to meet friends or sit in peace – a safe and relaxing atmosphere outside the hustle and bustle of the main campus. We want it to be fragrant and colourful – a place that improves your mood. These things would remind me of Rach, and the boys of their mum.

To do this will take some investment – and I would not undertake this unless I felt it could be the best we could manage. Creating a garden in Rachael’s memory will no doubt help our family with their grief, but importantly for our School community it will help many students too. It’s important sometimes just to take a break and think about broader things – to enjoy what and who is around you and appreciate what you have. This space will help with that, just as Rachael’s good counsel, caring attitude and positive approach to any issue has helped so many in the past. Her influence may have been in the background, but it has been huge – it would be a real loss not to take her values forward.

Huge thanks to all those from all over the globe who have written to me over the past few weeks. Apologies too if I did not respond. I was, and remain, heartbroken. That is not an easy place to be in but seeing this garden come to fruition would be truly uplifting. More than that – she deserves to be remembered, and remembered in a way that will add benefit to the School community.

All donations will go towards creating Rachael’s Memorial Garden for our School community. I would be enourmously grateful if you would consider donating to this project.

Nick