Tributes pour in for former Travel Weekly agent columnist Maureen Hill

Hundreds of tributes have been paid to travel agent and former Travel Weekly columnist Maureen Hill.

The travel industry has taken to social media to remember Hill who died last week aged 74.

She was described as ‘royalty’ and a ‘champion’ of the high street agent, with many people recounting tales from her Travel Weekly column.

Hill was working at the Sturminster branch of Spear Travels when she fell ill last week and was taken by ambulance to hospital where she sadly died.

Peter Cookson, Spear Travels managing director, said travel was Hill’s life and she had just logged a big booking 20 minutes before she fell ill.

More than 150 comments have been left across social media and the Travel Weekly website since the news broke on Thursday July 27.

Rupert Diggins said: “Maureen was a gem of a lady with the most fabulous sense of humour which shone through in the wonderful travel industry column that she wrote for many years.

“I remember the tipsy nights at industry dinners, the regular calls demanding the very best deal for her clients and in particular I fondly remember a call one weekend many years ago when she needed some Croatia advice.

“RIP Maureen and thank you for the laughs, the memories and the friendship.”

So sad to hear that Maureen Hill has died. Her column in @travelweekly was brilliant stuff from the coal face! #RIP t.co/jmy78G0R2d

 

 

— Derek Jones (@Degsycom)

So sad to hear that Maureen Hill has died. Her column in @travelweekly was brilliant stuff from the coal face! #RIP https://t.co/jmy78G0R2d

— Derek Jones (@Degsy_DJ) July 27, 2017

Mike Sands said: “So sad, so young. Maureen will always be remembered as the champion of the real high street travel agent.

“She made us laugh and more importantly, think, about the trials and tribulations of a “counter clerk”.

“Quite rightly she will be mourned and missed by her family and friends but also by the global world of travel.”

Speaking on Facebook Penny Wright said: “I was lucky enough to work with her from 1995 to 2010.

“She was like my work ‘mum’ and made sure my children had their socks on or a hat.

“It was like working with royalty, she was amazing and lived for her job and her family. Such a loss.”

Also commenting on Facebook Pat Waterson said: “What sad news. We shared many a room at awards events and cabins on cruise events.

“A great friend with a great sense of humour and proud to be Essex.”

Maureen was a doting grandmother who was married to Brian, her husband who she met when she was at school.

See also:

Much-loved former Travel Weekly agent columnist Maureen Hill dies