For many cancer patients, life becomes an exhausting chain of hospital visits, drugs and worry. Melanie endured all this with equanimity and an incredibly positive attitude. Hospital or home visits to her were often great fun and she had so many well wishers and friends that a doodle poll for visiting had to be set up to accommodate everyone!
 Her sense of humour never failed her and we shared much more laughter than tears in her remaining time. Melanie was a very creative person and a brilliant actress. She put these talents to good use when she had her first hair loss from Chemo therapy for example by making a video of herself as Yule Brynner and Anna from 'The King and I' - one her all time favourite musicals! and playing Queen Elizabeth in a scene where she reveals her baldness to her Lady in waiting and then gives a stirring speech about her strong spirit. Both brilliant, both funny, very 'Melanie'. Yes, such was her influence that she became a style in her own circle of friends.