Sarah Carter writes: The many columns by Michele Hanson sustained me for several years. First Treasure, who was the same age as my own free-spirited daughter – she painted her bedroom black at the same time as mine did – and then Mother, whose death came just before that of my own mother, who died aged 101 after living with me for 13 years. I do not know how I would have managed all those years without Michele’s caustic commentary.
After I wrote a condolence letter to her on her mother’s death she rang me up – much easier than writing a reply, she said – and I felt even more bonded to her. And when she launched her book Living With Mother at the Guardian’s offices I was able to tell her in person.
Margaret Heaton writes: I feel that I have lost a friend in Michele Hanson. Way back when she was writing about looking after her mother, she was bemoaning how long it took to peel potatoes. I wrote telling her it was totally unnecessary, and that we never peel ours, as most of the nutrients are just behind the skin. She sent such a lovely letter in response.