Some three months have gone by since the Asian tsunami spelt disaster for countless people and communities. The world has not been the same since, and feelings of loss and grief now dominate life in hundreds of homes.
The enormity of the tragedy becomes even clearer when close friends are involved. It is this that leads me to write about my dear friend Jane Attenborough, who perished, at the age of 49, on the Khao Lak beach in Thailand.
Jane had gone there on holiday with her devoted husband, Michael Holland, and children Sam, Alice and Lucy; and also with Michael's mother, Audrey Holland, who had already lost both her other sons. She died with Jane and Lucy; three generations.
None of us who packed Southwark cathedral for the memorial service, in which Lucy's school, King's, Canterbury, so movingly took part, will forget the way in which members of the family - her father Richard, Michael himself, Jane's brother Michael and the two surviving children - managed to speak and read. Their courage and dignity was a beautiful tribute to the loved ones they had lost, and truly inspiring for all of us.
Fortunately for me, Jane had become a close friend since she joined us at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation in 2000. She was a perfect colleague, and a joy to have as a friend. If there was one word to describe her, it was "intense" - so well chosen in her brother Michael's moving eulogy. Nothing, absolutely nothing was done by halves: joyful, frustrated, angry; frantically busy, wildly happy; in love, in laughter, in tears.
Her commitment was total, and so was her generous spirit, integrity, wisdom and involvement. If I came to a meeting with her, I had better be well prepared, because she would be. Even her occasional slight bossiness would be combined with humility, charm and infectious laughter. In short, being and working with her was not only professionally challenging, but a total pleasure, even fun. She enriched my life as, indeed, she did all lives she touched. Jane was, in every sense, a beautiful person.
The elder daughter of the actor and film director Richard Attenborough and his wife, the actor Sheila Sim, Jane was born in London, and educated at the Lady Eleanor Holles school, Hampton, Middlesex. After studying sociology at Sussex University (1973-76), she went into dance admini- stration, first at the Royal Academy of Dance, then at the Arts Council, at Ballet Rambert in 1979 and then, in 1985, as founding director of Dance UK, where she was hugely influential in promoting careers and improving conditions for dancers. Dance remained a lifelong passion.
Then, in early 2000, when we had a vacancy at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Hamlyn spotted in Jane an exceptional candidate. She was appointed arts manager, though characteristically she became involved in a wide range of the foundation's activities.
Within the arts, she dealt with all the applications that came our way, showing judgment and wisdom in advising trustees on what to do. Moreover, she carried the main responsibility for all our major arts projects, including links with the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, the Royal Court, the Sage in Gateshead, and many projects offering opportunities for new audiences - one of Jane's passions.
In recent years, she managed our far-reaching Musical Futures project, working closely with me and the project leader, David Price. As in everything, she motivated and excited trustees, staff and committee colleagues.
This project will make a major impact on many musical lives across the country. That will owe much to Jane's creative input. To quote David Price, "Although she was far too modest to admit it, I believe Jane had the widest perspective on arts development of anyone in the UK."
This emphasis on Jane's work should not hide the fact that the centre of her life was the love of her family. She was devoted to her parents, to her brother and sister, and all other members of her and Michael's families, and, of course, to her beloved husband and children.
There is no consolation. But it is good to remember that Jane leaves behind not only those families, friends and colleagues, but thousands of people, young and old, whose lives will have been enriched by her. A lovely memorial for all time.
· Jane Mary Attenborough, arts administrator, born September 30 1955; died December 26 2004