Hilary had been treated for cancer over the last year and it was a privilege that she shared some of that journey with us. She was inspirationally generous and courageous in letting us see some of the challenges she faced, along with the ways she dealt with the adversity of the disease and the treatment. However emotionally hard each step of the journey was, sooner or later she was pulling on her “positive pants” again (as she called them) and getting on with the next step. We learned over the Easter weekend that treatment was being stopped and she was transferring to palliative care at home. Thankfully, she was not affected by the current coronavirus.
Hilary joined the maber family way back in September 1992 as an architect, and during her 28 years of service her natural talent and empathy with colour, texture and space developed as she also became our first interior design specialist.
With this dual blend of skills she was able to work on some key ‘niche’ projects with the practice: some large private residential projects including a refurbishment and extension for Gary Lineker and his family, and The Brandreth House and pool in Southwell. Hilary enjoyed working on hospitality projects and was responsible for the original Lace Market Hotel and Cock and Hoop design and conversion as well as the original Bistrot Pierre brand designs. She also produced the inspirational interiors for the hospitality areas within maber’s Trent Bridge Cricket ground projects over the years. Most recently she worked on the new Romo Fabrics HQ, comprising a landmark design studios and logistics facility in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Perhaps one of her most challenging projects was the transformation of maber architects own St. Mary’s Hall office in Nottingham into a more open agile workspace where her talent, tenacity and resilience shone through despite having an office full of architects as her clients!
Her personal approach to design was best captured in her own recent words –
“I like to think that we all bring enthusiasm and openness into the design process, as well as patience and a willingness to listen”
Gregarious by nature, in the office she was famous for being our ‘life and soul’ of our gatherings as well as leading her sometimes reluctant colleagues as carol singer extraordinaire at numerous Christmas parties.
On the local construction networking scene she was involved in many events with both Interact and Women in Construction over the years.
Hilary was someone who met life head on. She was determined, even in the face of great personal hardship and undaunted by adversity when she believed in the cause she was working for. She was passionate and authentic. She was a big personality, a loyal friend, an intuitive designer and we will miss her enormously.
Hilary’s funeral will be taking place on Monday 11 May. Sadly due to the current lockdown guidelines the number of attendees is restricted. The service is being streamed and recorded for those close to Hilary who are unable to attend.
We would love to hear your memories of Hilary and if you would like to share them please email:
We are supporting two charities that were close to Hilary’s heart. If you would like to give to their good work in her memory please click the link to find out more and donate:
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