Maja Hupalowska
At work Maja was exemplary in all she did, an absolute powerhouse in getting things organised. However, what she will be remembered most for is her humanity, warmth, kindness, compassion, generosity, keen wit and wry sense of humour. She shone with a very special light and her legacy will live on in the light and love she passed on to so many others.
Celebration of Life 29th May - Eulogy
When a person leaves, I believe it takes their tribe, their friends, loved ones, those whose lives they touched, to come together to grieve. Not only to support each other through the loss and sadness of their departure, but even more importantly to reflect back to that person in clear and loving tribute, the essences of their unique and special light, to bear witness in celebration of the value of their life.
It is a special human gift and privilege to be able to bear witness, to appreciate, to give value to another life. And as a human being is not a ‘one thing’ - each life has many facets, multiple dimensions and expressions, so it takes others, to have the eyes to see and mirror back the many facets of the diamond that they were. Or perhaps given we are all made from stardust, to reflect back the unique constellation of lights that make up a person, assembled mostly through the ups and downs of life, self-authored through choice, self-determination and that human urge to be the authors of our own assembly and destiny.
So by gathering today to pay tribute to Maja, we can reflect back to her the true and beautiful colours of her unique constellation, the person that she was and who she choose to be. We can reflect back to her the simple truth that she is loved, that we are better people for having met her. And by sharing our cherished memories of Maja, which has already started to happen so beautifully on the Tribute Page, we can begin to bring together the myriad ways in which she blessed us as she lived.
Knowing Maja, I know she would want this to be a joyous occasion, a celebration! So yes have the tears, feel the sadness and the loss, know it is a natural expression of grieving, it is a measure of our love. Yet we also gather today to celebrate her, her life, her way, and our value and our gratitude for all the many ways in which she blessed our lives.
One of the realisations I have had since Maja passed was around the notion of legacy. Have you ever found yourself asking yourself, does my life matter? What difference am I making even with all this trying? Every time I look at Maja’s Tribute Page, I look at all the wonderful photos of her and am just in awe, of all the ways that Maja’s humanity shines through in all the stories. It has made me realise that a person’s true legacy is the light they bring to others and the many small and great acts of kindness, care, consideration, support and the many qualities that make up our humanity, that bless and uplift the rich tapestry of our human experience. It is probably true that we cannot, while alive at least, have a true measure of how we impact others, yet it is clear through all that has happened since Maja passed, that she has left in her wake, a rich and deep legacy of love and light.
As her friend and colleague for many years, I can say Maja was not only exemplary in her work, she did so while always keeping humanity right to the forefront. She was a beacon of warmth, support, strength, care, humour and positivity. She had an inherent sense of fairness, compassion, kindness and tenacity which made her go the extra mile for students and colleagues. She was always able to see the joy in the small things and somehow able to gently steer you out of falling down the dark rabbit holes and because of her wisdom and positivity, leaving you more positive about the future!
Dear Maja - thank you for all the blessings you have brought to my life. You will not be forgotten as I will carry you in my heart.
With love, value and gratitude,
Orla
Gallery
Memory wall
I will always appreciate the conversations with Maja, the advice that she gave to me, and the time that we spent together. Will always remember her.
Maja will genuinely be missed, but the positive imprint of her will always remain.
z miłością (with love, in Polish), Sarah
I began to have more of a working relationship with Maja regarding the apprenticeships work she did for the university - working with her was always a pleasure; she was genuine, kind and warm, and always had time for me and others.
I remember her calling me once to ask which desk I sat at within an open plan office - she didn't say anymore than this, and I wondered why she wanted to know. The next time I was on site she messaged me to say to have a look in my drawer next to my desk. I found a large chocolate bar with a note to say 'Thank you' from Maja and the team on it for my help with some work we had been doing. This kindness and attention to bringing connection between teams and colleagues will stay with me forever, a small gesture that meant a big deal - I admire her selflessness; genuine empathy and kindness with people, and the warmth that she always radiated.
Maja was such a genuine, lovely, kind-hearted and funny person. Her recollections of attending festivals in the old caravan, laden with contraband will always stay with me.
Maja, you are truly missed.
Maja was one of the most extraordinary people I have ever worked with. She was so generous, so warm and so optimistic. She was like a beam of sunlight in human form. Barely a day went by without Maja bringing some lovely treat into the office to share with me and Kate. I remember her telling us so many stories about growing up in Poland, from keeping carps in the bath on Christmas Eve to having doughnuts on Fat Thursday (a tradition we loved to carry on in our office!).
Maja was the first person I turned to when my department was restructured a couple of years ago and I was really worried about what might happen. We hadn’t worked together for a few years but she immediately dropped everything to take me out for a coffee and give me a wonderful pep talk which really restored my confidence. When I got a new role as a result of the restructure she sent me a lovely message of congratulations. That’s just who Maja was.
She was always outspoken in what she wanted to achieve, and she did everything with determination, tenacity, and grace. Above all she was dedicated to helping the people around her, no matter whether they were a colleague, student or friend.
Maja, I’ll never forget you. I don’t know who I’d be if I hadn’t come for that interview with you in 2015. I feel so lucky to have known you and I know there are hundreds of other people who will feel the same. I’ll miss you more than I can say, but I know I’ll always carry a part of you with me.
It is so incredibly sad that she was taken too soon.
RIP Maja
Most of all Maja was so much fun and had a great sense of humour. She loved to tease people socially and we will all miss her warm and friendly presence.
RIP Maja
Her work ethic was exemplary, so very conscientious and thorough, always professional but at the same time relatable. She was incredibly proud of the university, of her colleagues, and particularly of the students. She was the most amazing and brilliant colleague who I respected and valued enormously.
But more than that, much more than that, she was a wonderful person, who I thought the world of - she was my friend, and I miss her terribly.
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