Maria Lindsay Loveday Pankhurst (27 Apr 1963 - 12 Feb 2025)

Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. Love Clive and Sharon xxx

Maria came into my life through my sister, Saira, who brought her home to Manchester after meeting her at Leeds university. From the moment I met her, we were drawn to her—she was different, she was quirky, and she was absolutely magical. Maria had this beautiful musicality; she could play the tin whistle and sing like an angel. That was what truly captivated me.

At the time, I was just 10 or 11, still coming to terms with my own singing voice, and I adored Kate Bush. Maria could hit every note Kate Bush could, and to me, that was incredible. We would put The Kick Inside on, singing along together, and I was in absolute awe of her talent. I thought she was marvellous.

Maria became part of our world, and I have such vivid memories of her. One that stands out was when she was invited to our sister Homara’s wedding. She looked stunning in a sari, with these gorgeous fuchsia earrings that made her presence even more striking. That was Maria—always vibrant, always radiant, always uniquely herself.

Years later, as an adult, I was living in Didsbury when I found out Maria was living nearby in Bramhall. Just as I discovered how close she was, she was preparing to move back down South. I went over a few times to help her, and we had such a wonderful time together. It made me reflect on how easy it is to take people’s presence for granted, to assume that there will always be more time. I wished I had spent more time with her while she had been up North.

Maria had a beautifully crazy personality that perfectly matched the joyful chaos of our household. She fit in with me and my sisters effortlessly, as though she had always been part of our world. She was light, laughter, and music—a truly special soul who left an imprint on all of us.

Maria, you were extraordinary, and you will be so deeply missed. Thank you for the songs, the laughter, and the beautiful memories. You will always be in our hearts. ❤️

Oh Maria, I am so heart broken that you have left us here. Your life journey really wasn't meant to be over just yet. I haven't stopped thinking of you since hearing of your passing. I've been bending the ear of all of my clients telling them how truly wonderful you was. You were the quirkiest, funniest and quick witted soul. Not to mention the intelligence, you never realised how wonderful you really were. Thank you for all our chats, our endless instagram messages of cats 🐈. Whose going to send me cat videos now 💔. Thank you for letting me pamper you, while discussing your life ups and downs. You really were amazing, I'm devastated i will never go to witch craft with you now, that last coffee we kept meaning to sort out. I really hope you are up there, in a new world of sunning it up abroad, speaking your sexy language & oggling those French men. (For contents this is what we said was life goals ❤️)... I promise one day I will do just this for you. Stay near by, guide me where you can. You will forever be in my thoughts. I'm so sorry I wasn't there today, with illness it has stopped me. Rest easy beautiful. ❤️😢

Thinking of you all as you lay Maria to rest peacefully 💔

Rest in peace Maria. A beautiful soul. Love Claire and Martin Pankhurst

Can’t quite believe this day is here. It’s so hard to fathom yet I know we will honour you and celebrate your unique and wonderful spirit.
We all have such poignant and personal memories of you, Maria.
For me, it’s our shared holidays & family occasions, afternoon teas, remembering your musicality & lyricism. I relish in holding close our shared love of Spanish, our interests in Celtic music/ folklore and herbalism, not forgetting Kate Bush. All these things bring you close again.
My favourite memory is when we attended a driftwood art workshop together in Whitstable- it was so wonderful to be by the sea with you.
You will always be treasured and remembered by us, with love, Lucy, Behar, Leonora & Luca

❤️ Sabera’s memories of Maria ❤️

I first met Maria while visiting my sister at university. To me, university felt like an escape, and Maria, my sister Sara’s dear friend, embodied that world—graceful, kind, and effortlessly warm. From the moment I met her, I knew she would always be part of our extended family, someone we would admire, care for, and love.

Over the years, our paths crossed many times, leaving me with cherished memories. One of my earliest was visiting her home in Winchester, where her wonderful family welcomed me like their own. Maria had a rare gift—she made everyone feel at ease, included, and valued.

Her wedding was like something out of a fairy tale—full of love, beauty, and magic. At the time, I was just starting university, and Maria represented that exciting stage of life—learning, adventure, and discovery. A talented linguist with an artistic spirit, she carried herself with quiet confidence and effortless charm. She graced many special moments in our lives, from my sister’s wedding, where she looked stunning in a sari, to my own, where she once again exuded elegance and warmth.

Years later, when I returned to the UK, I was delighted to reconnect with her as a mother. Meeting Maeve and seeing Maria’s kindness reflected in her parenting was truly special. Though time and distance sometimes kept us apart, we always stayed connected, picking up where we left off as if no time had passed.

Maria was a beautiful soul who touched my heart in ways I will never forget. She had a grounding presence, a quiet reassurance that made you feel safe and understood. The world feels emptier without her, but I feel incredibly lucky to have known her—to have shared in her kindness, laughter, and spirit.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. The love she gave and the memories she left behind will stay with us always. ❤️

I first met Maria through my mum, Pauline. She was my mum’s friend, but she became mine too.
One of my fondest memories was visiting her at her home in Lincoln—the only time I had the chance to do so, but a visit I will never forget. She was performing in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Lincoln Cathedral, and it was truly amazing. Her talent was undeniable, but what stood out just as much was her warmth, humor, and generosity.
That night, we stayed over, and we sat up talking until the early hours—laughing, drinking wine, and putting the world to rights. Then, in true Maria style, the next morning, she put on the most incredible breakfast spread, making sure we felt completely at home.
Though I only visited her there once, that time perfectly captured who Maria was—vibrant, talented, and full of kindness. I feel so lucky to have known her, and she will be deeply missed.

Would you

A Lifetime friend who I loved dearly. Rest in peace.

On Dartmoor
O vast and rugged moorland what could wish for more?
Your ever changing range of hills and mighty rocky tors
While overhead the fluffy clouds, glide like a mighty throng
A feast is spread before the eyes, the heart is filled with song.

There’s music in your waterfalls and ever restless streams
And on your rock strewn rivers, the rays of sunlight gleams
And in the lovely valleys and in the wooded dells
They say that there the Pixies, still weave their magic spells

And if you climb the hillside and scale the mighty tors
It seems the breath of Heaven has yawned the heath clad moors
Where all is hushed, the world is still, no sound comes to the ear
You feel your heart with joy uplift and know that God is near.

My beautiful kind cousin, as children you were so kind to us, telling us stories for hours on end, taking us down the front for chips in Devon, lots of happy memories from Christmas & Summer holidays. You never forgot a birthday so kind and thoughtful, forever my lovely cousin, forever loved and missed Katy xxxx

I have known Maria ever since she was born in the wonderful Pankhurst family.
I was then the French assistant in Ashford Grammar School for Girls ,where Helen, her mother , taught English.
It was the beginning of a friendship which involved all the family ,with very special bonds with Maria , who came and lived with us for a whole schoolyear , after she had taken her O'Levels , and just after our daughter Raphaele (Maeve's godmother) ,was born.
She was so outgoing , she had such a personal sense of humour , that she made friends with all our friends, and many more, of all ages!
She could hardly speak a few words of French when she first arrived, but she was so gifted that , by the end of the year in our local lycée where she was admitted as " auditrice libre", she was thoroughly fluent and capable of writing a 4-page essay on the French contemporary poet Ponge!!
And she started learning Spanish as well , which became her first subject at university......not to mention the fun we had , conversing in Italian with each
other when we were in Italy.
Of course , her ability to master languages had something to do with her love for music.
Everything about her revolved around music : her inimitable crystal-like laughter sounded like music , so cheerful, and melancholy at times .
And her magic singing !I remember listening to her pure soprano voice in Toads on a Tapestry in Faversham Church , with Helen, who was already very ill.
And that Christmas , in 2016 ,when she was here with Maeve, she honoured us by accepting to sing , a capella, an old Christmas carol and we recorded her!
She made that Christmas a highlight!
We shared so many unforgettable moments, whether in France, or in England , or in Italy , and we were so lucky to be able to see her in Lincoln and at Chatsworth, with Andrea and David , last year.
She was looking forward to visiting us in 2025 and seeing " what they have done with Notre Dame"!
Thank you, Maria , for making our lives richer and brighter.