October sadly saw the death of Shirley Miller after a long but spirited fight against pancreatic cancer. Known to regulars at the Saturday class and to those who have attended the weekends at Heriot Watt University, Shirley will be remembered as one of the great characters of the school. We can all learn a great deal from both her attitude to Tai Chi and from the strength and humour shown during her illness. Shirley discovered many of the great loves of her life relatively later in life than most. Marriage to John and motherhood to two sons came in her thirties. She was devoted to "her boys" and, having been diagnosed with cancer, spent much of her time paving the way for an easier life for them after she was gone. It was Shirley's sheer determination alone that enabled her to attend her second son's wedding only a few weeks before her death - against very heavily laden odds. She even managed a well-supported dance or two.    Her love of Tai Chi came later in life, infact not until her late 50's. From the moment she found it however, she threw herself into it with a determination and energy, which left many of us trailing in her wake. She took every opportunity to practice that she could. Shirley simply loved Tai Chi because it "was". At Heriot Watt last year despite pleas from her friends to "take it easy", Shirley was right in there pushing hands with anyone brave enough to take her on. (She was once known to confess that she loved pushing hands because it gave her a bit of close bodily contact with all those fit muscular young guys - and after all at her age their partners were hardly likely to see her as a threat!) She was overjoyed to learn the sabre despite concerns about her illness. Even in hospital after a particularly bad spell she still managed to get in some practice of her hand form.       She was equally enthusiastic about any social occasions. Those of us privileged to know her as a friend, know that she loved to join in any after class activities and could keep going long after us lesser mortals were in dreamland. Not surprisingly, she loved to dance. Shirley then will be remembered for determination and uncomplaining spirit, her sparkle and vitality. Above all her unfading humour. Oh yes, and who can ever forget the enviable pzazz with which she could wear a feather boa!!! She will be sadly missed.