Farewell Margaret Goumas

Have just heard the sad news that Newcastle cinema doyenne Margaret Goumas has passed away.
So many in Newcastle, and in the wider cinema community, will be shocked and saddened today.
My thoughts go out to Theo, who despite being called "a difficult man" on more than one occasion by Margaret, loved and needed his wife.
Who can forget Margaret holding court at the Showcase, dog Carmella as support act. Welcoming, knowledgable, opinionated, the height of a style and fashion all her own.
The battle, ultimately lost, to keep her valuable and vibrant city cinema open. And then her presence, often, at the Greater Union, where so many sought her out for her conversation and her movie critique.
Who can forget her time in local government, the objection to those uneven pavers in the mall (they ruined your heels) and her objection to breastfeeding in the cinema foyer.
The tumultous time that she and Theo split and the AVOs that made the front page.
And the reunion; living together again in a city apartment, seeing movies, going to dinner, walking along the waterfront.
The last time I saw Margaret was at Margin Call. Gorgeous as ever. I told her I had separated from my husband (she knew him well too) and she patted my arm and said "Look at you, you're strong and beautiful, you will be fine.We'll both be fine."
I was talking about her yesterday, suggesting we do a profile on her for a new women's website that is being launched, and recounting her response when I asked her to be the subject of a profile for Weekender last year.
"Oh, yes, there are stories, Alysson," she said, smiling. And without a hint of malice: "But many will have to wait until Theo is dead."
And now Margaret is. Farewell.