I thought of Thea as a kind of little sister, although she was in fact neither my sister, nor younger than me at all. Many years ago, Thea had asked me if we could be sisters, and while I am not sure how well I lived up to this role, eventually living away in Barcelona, seeing Thea was always so special and such a highlight of my visits back home.
Thea had a magical, childlike quality about her and a zest for being in on the action, and even in spite of any challenges she might have been facing that day, she could always reveal at least a glimpse of her big, beaming smile, that seemed to brighten up everything. She was very sociable by nature and the star of any dinner-party she attended. She loved to laugh, and had this ability to make absolutely anybody join in with her, even when nothing remotely funny was happening.
Thea loved drama, she was fascinated by films and characters, and would sometimes reenact the scripts, much in the same way she liked to recount conversations she had been involved in that day. From a family of artists, Thea had a special way with colour, I will treasure her many pictures that fill my flat. She could drink more tea than anyone else I’ve ever met, and the people who knew Thea will picture her sitting in her parents’ beautiful home, enjoying tea and cake and the company of their countless visitors, negotiating with her mum for just one more cup please. Thea was blessed with having amazing, devoted parents, who did so much to help make her life as colourful and extraordinary as it was.
I could finish by saying that I had never pictured my life without Thea in it, and that her brightness and love will be so missed by many. But no account of her could be complete without a mention of her enormous, colourful ring collection, of which she was so very proud. Whenever I see a gaudy, over-the-top, knuckleduster style ring in the future, I will be forever wishing I could still get it for you, Thea. 💛