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She was an attentive listener, immediately impressing others by her astute and intelligent approach
to complex issues – she had a light touch, but good touch approach to difficult situations, never
allowing them to get the better of her, whilst remaining tenacious in pursuing what she believed to
be right.
I asked a number of people to share their thoughts about Carole – they all spoke about her
intelligence, her professionalism, her commitment but they also all mentioned her humour, her
great sense of fun, her dry wit – you didn’t spend long with Carole without there being some
laughter – if there is such a word as well roundedness then that would be the word to describe her.
Conversations would soon extend to talk about travel and her adventures, her love of singing and
the choir’s activities and, of course her beloved children and grandchildren – we felt that we knew
you all – I even attempted, on one occasion, to imitate Carole imitating Annie Rose imitating Kirsti’s
Northern Irish accent – I failed miserably!
After National Executive Committee meetings we would often all go out to have a drink and eat
together – where Carole demonstrated yet another passion – she would only ever drink New
Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which was often the most expensive white wine in the restaurant or bar so
we were in the process of trying to persuade her to try other drinks.
We will miss Carole Adair – educational psychology in Northern Ireland and the AEP will be much
poorer for our loss but today we celebrate and remember and give thanks for the contribution she
made to all our lives – and we may do the same later, with a glass of sauvignon blanc – New Zealand
of course! “