Obituary: Miriam Hyman

A freelance picture editor, Miriam Hyman was travelling from Barnet, north London, to work at a publishing company in Canary Wharf when she was caught in the explosion on the number 30 bus.

She had spoken to her father only minutes before, calling him to say that she was all right after being evacuated from King's Cross.

Ms Hyman grew up in the north London neighbourhood of Hampstead Garden Suburb, the daughter of John and Mavis Hyman.

Educated at the local Brooklands Junior School and Copthall School, Mill Hill, she read French and history at University College London, graduating in 1995.

She went on to work for BBC Worldwide and, for a short time, the Sun newspaper.

Warm

Her close friend Chris Riley, who met her at the BBC in 1997, said: "Her enduring warmth, unquenchable interest in your life and an overwhelming sense of how to make you feel special made me seek her out often, always marvelling at her thoughtfulness and generosity."

Mr Riley said they shared an interest in science and art, and often visited galleries and museums.

"I never saw her without a smile and, more often than not, a giggle"
Friend Mark Eddison

Ms Hyman raised money for a cancer charity and worked to bring greater understanding between Palestinians and Jews, he added.

Former colleague Mindy Uppal said: "I was very sorry to hear of the loss of such a bright and talented lady. I used to work in IT at the same broadcasting company as Miriam a few years ago and still remember our giggles. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones."

"I never saw her without a smile and, more often than not, a giggle," Mark Eddison, who knew Ms Hyman through mutual friends, told the Guardian.

He reasoned these attributes were down to her being "a very open, loving and genuine person, with no guilt or malice in her heart".

The 31-year-old had a love of music and only days before the bombings had been to see Elvis Costello perform on Hampstead Heath with her sister Esther.

'Well-loved'

Thinking back to the tragic events of 7 July, Mavis Hyman reflected on her daughter's love of her work.

"She phoned work to say she was going to be late," Mrs Hyman said, adding that her daughter was told not to come in.

"She was still obviously determined to get in. I think she didn't understand the seriousness of what was going on."

A statement from the family said: "Miriam was a well-loved person with friends going back to infant school.

"We would like to thank all those who prayed for her safe return and everyone who gave so much time and effort to help us in the search."