It is with sadness that I have to report the tragic news that Michelle Jurd (Ex 230 and 33 Sqn Puma Navigator) died in the early hours of this morning as the result of an RTA.

Michelle was a real star on the Puma Force and I had the pleasure of serving with her on 33 Sqn OCF; she will be sorely missed and the world will be less of a place without her.

News regarding the funeral arrangements, expected to be in Cumbria where she had settled with Neil and her 2 daughters after leaving the Service, will be sent to the Puma Reunion email distribution list in the next few days.

God Speed Michelle.

POTT :sad:

I was stunned when I heard the news this morning; Michelle was a delight to know, and to fly with - a Puma girl through and through.

To Neil, I am so, so sorry for your loss - I will miss you Michelle, rest in peace.

AA

Oh dear. I remember Michelle from her days on 33, especially Mozambique ('98 or '99?). Always smiling.

Sad, very very sad. She was a great girl. First met her when she was on 33 and I was on 18 during one of the 24 Bde exercises on Stamford TA.

HPT

I served with Michelle ('Meesh' to some) and what a pleasure it was to have her cheery, smiling face on 33 Sqn and during the numerous Kosovo dets. She was a great gal to have around and not a half bad navigator either!!
My heartfelt condolences go out to Neil, the girls and other family members.
Life can be a bugger - I know.....:(

I am so sad to hear the news, Michelle was a fantastic person, great instructor and good friend. She will be greatly missed by all those fortunate enough to have served with her and flown with her. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and especially her husband and little girls - RIP Michelle you were much loved by us all and will never be forgotten x

So very sad. Best wishes to the family.

Mich - On my Flt Cdr tour your example was often quoted as how perfectly to play the work life balance. At work, professional, dedicated, talented..... At play, well lets just say yet to find any female aviator to come close.

Deepest and sincere condolences to Neil and the girls. Gutted.

Absolutely gutted. I served with Michelle in Iraq - her professionalism and good humour in the most trying circumstances was an example to us all. RIP

So sorry Meesh. We'll miss you dearly.

Henn

Very sad news.

Such sad news, it was a pleasure to squip for you on the mighty 33. RIP.

I am absolutely heartbroken.:(:(

Neil, I am so sorry for your loss. Michelle was one of life's diamonds. We were on the same Puma OCU together, when Michelle was first starting out and I was refreshing, then all that time on 230 and 33. I am just stunned. Neil, I cannot comprehend your grief. I am grateful the girls are safe, but cannot get over how Michelle has been snatched away.

If anyone is aware of Neils contact details/email can they pm me please

First post on Prune had to be for someone special and they don't come more special than Meesh.

Her smile and spirit made 14 Cse and the Puma OCU better places. She even came out of her first dunker beaming. Her generosity meant I got the nav posting to 33 sqn to allow me more time with the new Mrs Headlles-Navygator.

Neil and the girls, don't know what to say. You are all in our prayers.

I only met her once at the simulator at Benson and her hubby was correct...her smile did light up the room....


RIP Michelle....very sad


BBC NEWS | UK | England | Cumbria | Crash death woman served in Iraq (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8346227.stm?)

Knew her way back when on 230 at ALDZ - too many people much younger than old Teeters seem to "depart the fix" far far too soon.

Didn't know the family - but my thoughts and prayers are with them - but can never forget that smile ........:(

RIP Meech

RIP Mitch x

Headless Navygator - I can't agree more. All these years and this is my first post also.

Words cannot express this devestating loss to all who were ever lucky enough to know Meech (or Cheesy!). I know all of us on 14RW course Shawbury were touched by her immeasurable grace, fun and honesty. To one in a million, RIP.

Smoo

I am deeply shocked by this sad news. Meesh's smile lit up the world, I never saw her unsmiling. Last met her at last years reunion. She was a beautiful person. She will leave a hole in all our hearts. My heartfelt condolences to Niel, the girls and family. RIP Michelle X

Tributes to Grange-over-Sands mum who died in A590 accident (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen) (http://www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.uk/news/4721500.Tributes_to_Grange_over_Sands_mum_who_died_in_A590_accident/)

Very very sad indeed, words fail me at this time. RIP xx

I have been completely overwhelmed by the love and respect you have all expressed for Michelle. She would never have believed the strength of feeling that existed for her. My daughters are quite safe, and I know as a family we will come through this horror, but we will never be quite what we would have been if Michelle had been there with us lighting the path. She was an inspiration at home just as much as she clearly was at work. We never wasted a day together. It is wonderful to read that so many people loved her smile; it was amazing.

We will probably have a family cremation in the next week, followed in about 2-3 weeks by a more positive celebration of her life. I know Michelle would want her RAF friends to be there, the RAF was her life for so long. I will send detail of the service as widely as I can. It will be in Grange over Sands, or close by.

Deepest condolences to Neil and family.

I worked with Michelle whilst I was on the Chinook Force and she was a fantastic person to be around and a thoroughly professional aviator.

She will be sorely missed.

Neil how great it was to see your comments about your lovely lady, and your deep concern about the future and your families welfare.

Air Forces of the world have fortunately, members who reach out and shine in the world and their profession. Your lady by the comments made here was an great person, and having walked some of your way, I just wanted you to know that even though I am stranger, I can feel your sorrow too.

Why people are taken from us in the prime of their life, I can never understand it just does not seem right. However their will be a multitude of comrades waiting to welcome her, and I suspect if we have it correct, that in this after life, she will again be able to make her contribution.

Perhaps the words of the old military Hymn may give some comfort at this very sad time. "God be with you till we meet again".

To you lady I wish God speed, clear skies and the assurance that one day you will be together again.

Every best wish

Col Downunder

My memories of Mich stretch back to Finningley in the early 90s - fond memories of banter with her in the bar and in Filton Block and always smiling! Sadly, I never really saw much of her when she went rotary and I went elsewhere. Why is it always the good people that have to go!?!

The B Word

I met Michelle in 94 in Belize, and she made an amazing smiley first impression. Top girl, top aviator. God Bless you Girl and your husband and girls.

Another loved and highly respected person taken from us too soon. I have good memories of working with Michelle on 230 - she was fun to be around and knew her stuff.

Neil, your fortitude in the face of this terrible loss is inspiring - she would be so proud of you.

Michelle always managed to light up a room - she will be missed.

Our thoughts are with her family.

Words fail me right now.

I've always had a real hard time getting my head around the whole religious 'thing' and it's tragic events such as this, that simply diminish what little 'lack of belief' I actually do have!

I deployed along with Michelle on various detatchments whilst serving my time on 33. It's more than obvious from the comments being posted here, that she was regarded by all who knew her, in a similar manner.

I am no different.
Michelle was simply exceptional.

My thoughts are nowhere else right now...but with her family!

RIP.

A great lady with a ready smile and an effortless sparkle, so highly regarded by the 230 groundcrew. It was a pleasure to work the FOBs with her.

RIP Michelle, and deepest condolences to the family and friends.

I received the terrible news (thanks Sarah) just before returning from a 6-month det in the Falklands. I was totally shocked, and so soon after the death of another of life's lovely people, Geoff Young.

My heart goes out to Neil and the girls. I have known Michelle on and off since the early 90's and from the start I she struck me as a shining beacon of good will, cheerfulness and a total professional.

I cannot think of Michelle without remembering the occasion where we stole the safety rowing boat on the lake outside the Atlantic hotel in Stavanger on one of the simulator visits. We were unable to outrow the police in their car but they were very understanding when they saw her friendly smile.

A tragic loss.

I once sent Meesh a card that said

"Friends are just angels that have forgotten how to fly"

Meesh hadn't forgotten and did it so well, she was the perfect balance and example to what female aircrew should be. A genuine friend and a truly lovely person. Words are so inadequate to express the loss we all feel now. And as was said by Neil and echoed by others her smile certainly did light up a room .........and some. The world seems a darker place since i received Neils e-mail, in so many place around the world people are raising a glass to that particular young lady. I must dig out the videos of us all as we stumbled our way through 14 Cse and into our service adventure. To have shared just a part of her life was an honour.

Neil, I'm so sorry my words do so little but I will be thinking of you and the girls in the days and weeks to come.

TLF:sad:

I'm truly stunned and saddened at this awful news.

I served on 230 and 33 Sqns, including instructing together on the OCF with this wonderful lady. Shared tents in the Arctic, Kosovo, Iraq on TELIC 1 (19 men and 1 lady, only she could have done that!) and a variety of AMF exercises around the world - she was a core member of the glory days of the Pu AMF Flt when Richie Rees ran it. It's been said but my undying memory of Meesh will always be that ready, dazzling smile anywhere she was. She lifted, enthused, civilised and motivated any bunch of normal blokes that she worked with. Things were always better when Meesh was around and the world will be a duller place without her.

Neil, my family's heartfelt condolences to you and the girls at this terrible time. Your strength may be bolstered with the knowledge that there are a lot of her friends and former colleagues who grieve with you.

RIP Meesh.

Never met the lady , but am saddened that she has died when she has obviously touched so many people, to the family you have my deepest sympathys u have lost a someone very close but she will always be remebered as these post prove

Very sorry for this sad loss of a true star in the SH world. First met Michelle in Belize prior to her going SH and was then fortunate to be on the force with her for some time.

Neil,

I am truly sorry - please check your personal messages.

Rich Maddison

Any loss is always tragic, but when it happens so close to home you feel it all the more. Meesh was a ray of light wherever she went; haven't seen her in a while but our paths crossed at V813 many a time, esp in the bar!!

Neil and the girls..our thoughts and prayers are with you all, you'll never be alone....:(:sad:

Myself and Mrs SHM are absolutely stunned at the awful news about Meesh.

First met Meesh on her first AMF det. All were curious about the first influx of girls on the Sqn and, typical for testosterone charged blokes with egos the size of a house, giving no quarter. Meesh soon proved she was more than a match and quickly established herself as "one of the boys"...

I had the honour to serve with Michelle on 33 and 230 sqns and various dets on jobs in between. She was always pleased to help and worked hard to do well. A true professional, as all have said, a smile to light the room, bar, tent, misty evening wherever, with a wicked sense of humour.

As a fellow aviator she was a true professional, on det - totally reliable, as an exec, with Meesh on your team, things ran so much smoother. As a friend - one of the best.

Neil, We are both, as so many others, stunned and cannot contemplate what you are going through right now. The comments here will be some comfort and the love of your girls will keep you going. I know you don't need to be reminded how lucky we all are to have known Meesh, albeit for too short a time.

RIP Michelle.

Mr and Mrs SHM

Many drunken nights at Finningley with Michelle - such a great loss, words fail me.

Neil, my heartfelt condolences to you and the girls

Went through training with Michelle and last saw her in the NI Int room back in the mid 90's.
A wonderful lady and another friend taken way too early.

Never met her family, but my deepest sympathies to you all.

So sad......

Grundog

Since meeting Michelle at Finningley, I have not met such a great girl, or dedicated Nav in the RAF.

Michelle, the society of directional consultants stands poorer today;

Neil, whilst our words seem so inadequate, I'm sure that everything that made Michelle great will be there for all to see in her girls.

With deepest sympathy,

Wot-Balance

After meeting Michelle many times my resounding memory of her is when we went from 240 OCU to Kirkland for a little exchange trip and we all ended up in the Midnight Rodeo and had our pictures taken in the Cowboy stlye she made a fantastic Bar girl. I will treasure that picture even more now. God bless you Michelle RIP and my heartfelt sympathy to the family

Extremely saddened to hear this news, Michelle was my boss in Belize and helped me on the road to my aircrew career. Will always remember her cheery smile. My thoughts go to her family and close friends

Was on holdover with Michelle at 33 Sqn in 94. Our paths crossed occasionally and I wish to send my condolences to her family.

TMT

Saddened that one so charming and bright should be lost at such an early age. Those who remain, though blessed with quality memories, are all the poorer for her passing. Sincere condolences - RIP

It's always a bit difficult keeping tabs on people when you live on the other side of the world but I was extremely shocked and very saddened to hear about Michelle. We worked together on a couple of projects when I was at Benson and she was a perfect gem of a colleague - she will be sadly missed. My condolences to her family.

Just putting this back on the front page for today. Won't be there but will find a quiet place out east to sit and think of Meesh while you are all at the service.........:sad:

Thoughts with you today Neil, Tilda and Elsa.

I first met Michelle when she was a nav student at Finniningley. She was a joy to instruct and really did light up a room with her smile.

My heartfelt condolences to her husband and family.