Marsail was a magnificent person & my dear friend. We met in BBC Radio, in London in about 1965. She was an SM (Stage Manager) which meant she did the sound effects (yes, coconut sheels for galloping hooves!) in BBC Radio plays; in those days, you could make a living in Radio Drama. Immediately, I loved her dry, ironic, pawky Scots humour, her irreverent summing-up of the people around her, her energy & passion for life & travel & fun. She could laugh for hours, she was practical & kind & wise. She was utterly honest & direct, didn't mince words & made everyone around her comfy & happy. It was a surprise when she decided to emigrate to Australia. I know how much she loved her island in Soctland & never lost that, but she was ready for a change & off she went. And like everywhere else, pople loved her, she made many friends & enjoyed taking care of homes all over the place, btu Bondi was prop. her favourite. Utterly without malice, guile or bullshit, Marsail fitted perfectly into Australia. That's one reason I am so heartsick that she isn't here for my Citizenship this year (2013); she would have LOVED that. Wherever she went, she kept in touch, postcards, emails & phone calls. And she fought her final illness with extraordinary grace, indeed I think of her in the hospital, laughing, joking, trying to make it easier for us, her visiting friends. And there were so many of them. She was radiant. I am so lucky I knew her for so many years & I miss her dreadfully.

Like many others it seems I met Marsail while world traveling, a chance meeting on a Bali beach many years ago with subsequent meetings in other exotic places. I still have her wonderful letters and then finally emails; my favorite is the account of her ship's encounter with Somali pirates just a few years ago. Dear Marsail, we have all lost a spark of love and joy in our lives.

Marsail, I only found out now. I am still in a state of shock. You seemed to be immortal. All around the globe I never met anybody like you. Thank you for all the good times we had. You made this world a better place. Even though we were far apart most of the years you were always part of my life and you will always be. I miss you. Only the Good die young. Bye-bye dear friend. Martha

Dear sweet friend! Your American family, the Kikers, are very saddened by your passing but also joyous of your new life! How wonderful you have been over the years after a chance meeting on the road with a broken down vehicle. I chersh the times we were able to be together.

A truly beautiful and meaningful burial service was conducted on the Isle of Bute by Marsail

You were Mum's 'old' friend first of course, but so at ease in any company that you gained so many friends worldwide and still had time to communicate with us all frequently. As a child, I was fascinated by you, with your tales of travel and adventure. I never did make it to Oz to see you but we talked of my adventures too! I'm so pleased you made it to my 'big day', it made it extra special. I can't be with you on Friday, but I will get to talk to you again at your final resting place in Bonnie Scotland.

The casket containing Marsail's ashes has finally arrived in the U.K. and their interment will take place at the North Bute Cemetery, Isle of Bute, at 2.00 p.m. on Friday, 17th April. Marsail

Marsail & I met at Galashiels Academy when we were both 11 years old. We shared giggles (lots of giggles), adventures, holidays and secrets. Our friendship lasted throughout the years - the kind of rare friendship that carries on where we left off, even, sometimes with years in between. She was my bridesmaid and subsequently god mother to my daughter. I find it difficult to accept that she has gone and I miss her.

Moran taing airson do chairdeas, a Mharsail. Soraidh leat. Marion

Dear Friends of Marsail

Dearest friend, Where to begin? Happy days in the studio, happy long lunch hours, happy holidays, happy memories. God bless. Patience.

We remember pleasant hours at Quidinish with a bright, sparkling lady! God bless and keep you. Fiona & Justin

Marsail will be greatly missed by her huge group of friends. She was very good at making new friends, and then worked hard at keeping them. Claire and I met her en route to South Africa nearly 30 years ago, and then developed the friendship when we all lived in London. This lovely lady leaves a void in the lives of many of us.

We read your messages from all over the world with tears running our faces. We shall miss you so much our beloved friend. There are so many good times to remember - your 50th party we held, many sleepovers, dinners, emails and phone calls. Somehow we missed each other as SMs at the BBC, and it took the ABC in Sydney to bring us together. We still can't believe you are lost to us forever. Our hearts will never forget you. Janice & Martin

I'm finding it very hard to believe that my goregeous, funny, madcap (even at 69!) sweet, dear friend Marsail has gone. She who was always so full of life, ready for any adventure (and she sure had a few!) - she taught us all how to throw care to the wind and just live! We both shared a voracious love for world travel (I think she still could beat me as to no. of countries visited!) - and I managed to meet up with her not just in Scotland, London & Australia but also Mexico & America. Her last e-mail to me in early January this year was full of plans to meet up again at the end of the month in Cambodia where I was going on holiday, except that she'd just found out she'd broken a rib and strained her back so travel was out of the question for the moment. When I returned home I was devastated to learn what that fatal broken rib had revealed and led to. Oh Marsail, we will all miss you so. My very special friend, never to be forgotten, goodbye and God bless.

Marsail, I went and paid respects at your dear Daddy

Dearest Mars So many years and happy memories of good times all over the place. Much love always Carolina

The text of the eulogy to Marsail by John: All of us here today are united by the fact that our lives have been touched and brightened by my friend, our friend, Marsail. For us all it has been a privilege filled with pleasure and light, for Marsail was an utterly extraordinary person. I wonder how from the conservative world of a minister

This is a message received from Martin Jenkins, one of the BBC Radio

When we met for the first time in 1965 at BBC Glasgow, we discovered I

Marsail has been weaving in and out of my life for something like 60 years. The world will never be the same now the thread has come to an end. But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne " Robert Burns"

Whenever I think of Marsail I hear her laughter and visualise her sunny smile. Those will remain with me for ever, as they will with all who have had the privilege of calling her friend and friend she was for many, many years, through the good times and the hard ones. I first met Marsail at Galashiels Academy in 1953 when we were the winners, in our respective age-groups (Marsail was 2 years older than me), of an essay competition on the novel Ivanhoe written by Sir Walter Scott. That was the beginning of a very special friendship which distance could not destroy. I will miss her frequent emails, sound advice and her bubbly personality which shone through even in illness. God bless you Marsail. Till we meet again. Much love, Averil.

Dearest Mars Hard to believe we met in Majorca over 40 years ago! Shall treasure all the memories in and out of the BBC Club and all the good times we had. Just so sorry I never made it over to Oz to visit you. Shall remember and miss you always. Much love Carolina xx

Dearest Mars Hard to believe we met in Majorca over 40 years ago! Shall treasure all the memories in and out of the BBC Club and all the good times we had. Just so sorry I never made it over to Oz to visit you. Shall remember and miss you always. Much love Carolina xx

At BBC Radio in the 60's and 70's, Studio Managers were a talented class apart. I was therefore very saddened to hear that Marsail MacCuish, a very special member of that fraternity, had recently passed away in Sydney. Her innovative skills and charms will ever be remembered. Michael McClain (ex-BBC Radio Repertory Company London)

Johnny and I have so many happy memories of you dear Marsail.We shall miss your many e-mails full of bright wit and caring messages. You will forever be in our conversation and in our thoughts. Your friendship was very dear to us.I am so glad that we were able to spend time together on your last visit and so glad that our paths crossed at Eglinton Crescent. A few lines from R.L.S which seem to fit Be it granted me to behold you again in dying Hills of home and to hear again the call Hear about the graves of the martyrs,the peeweea crying and hear no more at all Goodbye good friend

Marsail was my godmother & more fun than any godmother who hadn't just stepped out of a fairy tale. I will always think of her at Hogmanay, the life & soul of every party. I loved her dearly & will miss her always.

Beannachdh Lait a' graidh, bha gaol mor agam ord; Bhon do charaidh - Iain

I first met Marsail many, many years ago, through a mutual friend in Argentina. We have kept in touch over the years, mostly at Christmas and sometimes in-between, when we would let each other know of our latest travel adventures. The last time I saw her was in the very hot summer of 2003, just after the big blackout on the American north-eastern seaboard. She stayed a few days in my tiny house in Toronto, and we had a wonderful catch-up. Even at that time, she was probably already feeling the effects of illness, as she seemed quite tired after her trip to Cuba, and if memory serves me correctly, she had a lumpectomy shortly after returning to Australia. Although Marsail and I were far from close geographically, I always thought of her as a very good friend. She had such a lovely warm, friendly, vibrant personality - always there with a ready smile, and always so interested in everyone, and everything, and everywhere. It is so hard to grasp that she is no longer around. I shall miss her very much, and will be thinking of her at 2.15 Sydney time on the 4th.

As your brother I have been blessed throughout my life with acts of your sisterly love and care and kindness and compassion

You will be missed dear girl - fond memories of good times, laughter and ofcourse the occasional sip of wine. Gone maybe but never forgotten Margaret

It all came too quickly - perhaps that was the way you wanted. So many happy memories over the years of our friendship which lasted since our school days. Rest in peace my old friend - no more pain now.

I will miss you so much Marsail. We had good times working for the BBC both in Scotland (where I met you in 1966) and later in London. Such a great sense of humour and a love of live - that's the memories I will keep of you. Rest in peace.

I didn't know Marsail that well but we were Drama SM colleagues at the BBC and as well as loving her bubbly sense of fun, Marsail was very kind to me when I first joined the Group as a junior. It is so sad to hear of her untimely death and I offer my condolences to her family and close friends. God Bless Marsail Diana (nee Barkham, my name at the Beeb)

Marsail was one of the sunniest people I have ever met. She was always a delight to work with and it was a privilege to have known her. Ted ex member of BBC Rep

She was a woman who could start a party in an empty room. She was a world traveller -- she went to the Yemen twice! -- she made friends wherever she went, and kept them. We met during the 'swinging sixties' in London and remained friends ever after.

I wish I could tell you all the telephone conversations I've had with Marsail's friends . Her enthusiasm in the BBC radio studios with her colleague Jock Farrell created a vibrant atmosphere! She was our friend but she could be fierce too if our efforts fell short of her high standards! Her passion for travel meant she left us actor chums the poorer in London but I can imagine how her friendships enriched those she met. What can one say except -Marsail we loved you and we'll miss you.

We met at our straight-laced school in Edinburgh where Marsail's sense of fun was a joy. We have lately had the great pleasure of meeting up again in Sydney where Marsail's love of life and enormous kindness have made our visits so wonderful to remember. We will miss her.

I have known Marsail (professionaly) for many years as she attended the Lymphoedema Centre at St.Vincent's Private Hospital. I looked forward to treating Marsail and hearing of her wonderful adventures in her very colourful and exciting life. Marsail loved animals and always asked about our dog 'Basil', even as her death was near. She remained a gentle and caring women right up to the end of her life.

In Western Australia we remember with love and happiness the time Marsail spent with us at the ABC in Perth, and the continuing friendship after her move to Sydney. As a colleague and friend she was a delight, and we are so sorry that we won't be able to have another catch-up lunch in this world.

My Star in the East you may be gone in body but never will your spirit leave. I will miss your lengthy and beautifully written emails, your surprise visits and just knowing you are there. As my tears gently fade my memories will become strengthened. When I next open my dictionary I will find you in many of the pages - under unique, joyous and most of all LOVE. I love you.

Darling Marsail, no one else could have spread such a net of love and loss around the world as you have. We two old girls will keep the flag flying. All our love, Carol & Mary.

DEAR HEN, YOU FLEW THE NEST FAR TOO SOON. BUT WE WILL NOT FORGET YOUR LOVE, YOUR LAUGHTER, AND THE ISLE OF LEWIS WAY OF SPEECH...TYDEY.