Obituary: Shelley Mather

Shelley - a "beautiful and vibrant girl"

The only New Zealander to die in the London bombings, Shelley Mather had been living in the capital for three years.

The 26-year-old held dual passports with New Zealand and Irish citizenship.

When she went missing on 7 July, her parents John Mather and Kathryn Gilkison made the long journey from Auckland to London to search for their daughter.

After she was confirmed to have died on the Piccadilly Line Tube train, they said in a statement: "Shelley was a beautiful and vibrant girl who was truly loving, caring and giving."

As a child growing up in Auckland, Ms Mather loved books and puzzles.

Later in life she developed a passion for indoor cricket and played in a league.

It is a tragedy to us, to London and the world that we lose people like her Simon Fullarton

Most recently she had been temping as an administrator and looking forward to a trip to Greece in late July.

She last visited New Zealand in March to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her best friend, Jacqui Riley, and went to the Glastonbury Festival in June.

Simon Fullarton, who worked with her, said: "Shelley was lively, and go-getting, she was adventurous.

"She was fun and basically a really nice lady, good at her job, well liked and respected by everyone.

"She was clever and well-educated and always had a smile and a funny or friendly comment.

"It is a tragedy to us, to London and the world that we lose people like her."

Nation 'touched'

Around 300 people attended a memorial service at St-Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland, on 30 July.

Prime Minister Helen Clark spoke to say how the grief of the family had touched the nation.

Ms Mather's cricket team formed a guard of honour as her coffin was taken from the church.

Earlier in the month, friends, family and New Zealand High Commission staff attended a London ceremony at St Pancras Church, near where she died.