Although our paths rarely crossed, I always found Julie a lovely colleague to work with. She was always a joy to share time with, had a smile on her face and nothing was too much trouble. I could see in Julie a person who cared about her work and her colleagues. She was always ready to lend a helping hand or offer words of encouragement, even when faced with her own challenges. Julie's presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of warmth and kindness will forever remain in our hearts.

Julie was a true gem, always so calm and happy. Always greeted you with a warm, smiling face. I spent many happy moments with Julie whilst working on projects for our clients. This brought us closer, and these are the special moments I will cherish. It is with a heavy heart we bid farewell to a wonderful soul. Sending love and support to Julie's family and friends.

I have had the pleasure of working with Julie ever since she joined QA many years ago. She made my job so easy and enjoyable. Nothing was ever a problem, Julie would always travel anywhere and do anything to help the customer and her colleagues. Always calm, thoughtful and always smiling. You are truly missed by all of your QA family. Sending my thoughts and love to your loved ones.

I remember my first phone call to Julie when I needed her to help cover a course and her warm friendly voice came through and I knew we were going to have a great working relationship. Needless to say 8 years later Julie made my time at work so much more enjoyable, her dedication and loyalty was flawless. I miss her dearly and want to pass on all of my strength and love to her family, forever in our hearts. Linda x

I remember my first phone call to Julie when I needed her to help cover a course and her warm friendly voice came through and I knew we were going to have a great working relationship. Needless to say 8 years later Julie made my time at work so much more enjoyable, her dedication and loyalty was flawless. I miss her dearly and want to pass on all of my strength and love to her family, forever in our hearts Linda x

I remember my first phone call to Julie when I needed her to help cover a course and her warm friendly voice came through and I knew we were going to have a great working relationship. Needless to say 8 years later Julie made my time at work so much more enjoyable, her dedication and loyalty was flawless. I miss her dearly and want to pass on all of my strength and love to her family, forever in our hearts x

I was looking through the evaluations and feedback that we receive from our learners and colleagues. Picked out some ones about Julie, last one says it all: "Julie has tremendous experience and knowledge and more importantly a great ability to impart this to a varied group. Excellent skills and interpersonal skills" "Julie was really knowledgeable, but also presented the teaching in a way that was understandable, even for a beginner like myself." "She was very professional and she made it fun" "Julie was an excellent teacher. Her knowledge of O365 apps and concepts was exceptional." "Cannot fault anything. She knew exactly what she was talking about and you could tell!" "I can't say enough about Julie Hickson. Some people are born to be teachers! Julie is exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging and professional. She's also been incredibly patient. We need more people like Julie in the world."

Julie was a much loved member of our Team and has been very much missed from our Teams meetings on a Monday, she was always smiling and laughing and we all had a laugh when her cats decided it was dinner time and began meowing for food on camera. Thanks Julie for lovely memories of you, thinking of your family at this sad time x

Julie was an inspirational, gifted colleague, friend and educator who illuminated her joyful teaching with boundless enthusiasm, empathy and fun for those fortunate enough to have attended her classes. We will all remember and celebrate the precious time and space we were fortunate enough to share with beautiful Julie. Always. With Love xxx

From the first time I met Julie all those years ago she immediately stood out as someone who was kind, caring, and compassionate. I soon found out that she was a brilliant trainer too, with a fantastic ability to carry her learners along with enthusiasm, no matter how tricky the subject matter and always with a smile and positivity. In recent months I'd mentioned to her that I'd been making asparagus soup and that I'd give her a shout when I visited the local farm where it was harvested. True to form, she was there on the end of the WhatsApp video call and so she had a bit of a video tour of the farm and all the staff shouted hello to her and wished her well. Even from a distance Julie was making people smile who she could never know. Julie was, and always will be a star. The heavens will be that bit brighter with her eternal presence x

I have worked in the same team as Julie the whole time I have been with QA and it has been an honour. She was a lovely and beautiful person, so gentle and kind. I was fortunate enough to visit Julie at home earlier in the year, we chatted about this and that for hours and drank lots of tea and shared a Victoria Sponge which I'd made, it was a happy visit and I'm thankful that I had the opportunity. Julie will be missed, shine bright beautiful lady.

I'm so sorry to hear about Julie's passing. Whenever I think of Julie, I'll remember her eagerness to help each and every one of her learners at QA, and her colleagues, no matter the ask, large or small. She was always willing to go the extra mile, was great fun to be around and an all round lovely human being. I send my best wishes and condolences to Julie's loved ones at this time. xx

I was fortunate to work with Julie on a couple of projects. Julie was a delight to know and her humour and laugh always provided a lift to the day. I will miss Julie and our team will not be the same without her. My condolences to her family and friends.

I've known Julie as long as she's worked at QA, being part of the Northern Delivery Team. She was a fantastic colleague, always up for a challenge but also someone you could hugely rely on. Julie, you were a joy to know and work alongside. Always a bundle of fun and laughs, often almost mischievous - I'll never forget the "I'm sorry, I've got water in my ear from this morning's shower" line - and you'll be hugely missed by us all here. Love to you and your family. xx

I did not know and have never met Julie but I offer my sincere condolences to her family, friends and those close to her.

Julie and I first met many many years ago when she started working in our delivery team at QA...we hit it off from day 1. I shall miss her kind, thoughtful, and funny witticisms every day. Sending all our love to her family at this very sad time from your friend and colleague xx

I have known Julie from her very first day at QA and arguably before as I was part of her interview process. As a work colleague she really was something very special, some of us trainers including myself would admit we are big divas who like our own way and no deviation from it and yet Julie was no such thing... She didn't mind travel, she liked a new challenge and being taken out of her comfort zone, she liked a project, she didn't stress about minor hiccups and just got on with it, she liked variety and she took immense pride in it all. She is however, a colleague who due to our team and geography has become a dear friend, a friend who looked out for me when I've had my own health issues, who stepped in to help when I needed it. We had the craziest of conversations, liquorice allsorts and which ones you eat first and which you leave to others, travel often came up, cars, the weather and the glorious views of Northern England, food... always food and just simply having fun in life. You always wanted to know how we were, what we were doing and what was making us happy. Julie, you lived your life with the biggest smile and did EVERYTHING with absolute class, I will miss you terribly and my heart will hurt. My thoughts are with your family and especially Kirsty who has cared so wonderfully for you in these testing times but also with class and a hand from M&S food. Thank you for being simply lovely and just being our Julie All my love to you and your family at this time xx

I did not know and have never met Julie, but it always hits hard when a colleague passes away. It serves as a stark reminder that our time on this earth is limited, and we should make the most of it by enjoying and appreciating each other's contributions to our lives. I offer my sincere condolences to her friends, family, and those close to her. May her soul rest in peace.

I wanted to add 2 separate thoughts about our lovely Julie, one as her colleague and manager and the second as her friend. Julie and I became much closer friends in the last couple of years. Her mum passed away just before my dad did, so we sadly had that in common. Shortly after that time, Julie was first diagnosed and we began the long journey of highs and lows, laughter and tears, as she worked, stopped working, had treatment, worked, treatment etc. She would tell me about the lovely sandwiches and biscuits they gave her during chemo, but she wasn't keen on the broccoli soup! She told me how she wanted to work as much as possible as she was brought up to go to work, unless your leg was hanging off! She was incredibly strong and brave throughout the whole time and amazed me in that whatever she was going through, she would always ask how my mum was and check in on me. In the final couple of months, she thoroughly enjoyed going to see Elton John live and being taken straight to her seat, rather than having to queue. A classy lady who deserved VIP treatment always, but would never have asked for it. I'll miss you Julie xxx

I wanted to add 2 separate thoughts about our lovely Julie, one as her colleague and manager and the second as her friend. In her work life, Julie was always a pleasure, positive, smiling, my 'yes' girl! I had known Julie for over 10 years and throughout that time had met her in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, all over the country, but more recently with virtual deliveries, over a regular Teams call. She told me she used to love working more from home, as it meant she could have a lovely relaxing bath in the morning, not something she had been used to when getting trains at crazy o'clock to travel to onsites to deliver courses for us. Her cats were a regular feature of our calls, never have I heard such loud meows! They knew that it was gone 16:30 and their 'mum' should be feeding them as she had finished delivering an event. They weren't happy with me interrupting their meal times!

Julie, such a lovely person. Always enjoyed having Julie here in Manchester, walking in with a smile on her face. We will all miss you very much xxx

Julie, we worked together for a long time. You will be missed greatly by your QA family Thoughts are with your family at this sad time

We hope that you find this tribute to Julie a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

Everyone grieves in a way that is unique to them. If you need to speak to a bereavement expert please visit the GriefChat section at www.muchloved.com which is a completely free service where you can remain anonymous if you prefer.