Tribute By AMI

With deep regret, AMI announces the death on July 25, of Patricia Hilson in Sydney, Australia.

Patricia Hilson held AMI diplomas at primary and elementary level having graduated in 1976 from the Maria Montessori Training Organisation, London, U.K. and in 1979 from the Fondazione Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani, Bergamo, Italy. In 1988 she obtained a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. In 1990 after a successful completion of the Training of Trainers Programme, she became the first Australian AMI Director of Training - the only one so far in the Southern Hemisphere. She ably conducted AMI primary courses in Sydney and Melbourne, the latter in 1993 being her last.

Pat was totally committed to the Montessori principles and AMI's objectives and courageous in the face of illness. In January and February this year she represented AMI as the External Examiner at the oral examinations at the Korea Montessori Institute and the Montessori Institute of Tokyo and brought to those occasions and to the graduating students of both institutes the spirit of Montessori and the eternal hope which the child represents. The light which she encouraged to burn brightly in Australia has but temporarily dimmed and the fruit of her labours for Montessori and for the child will bear witness to her life's work.

Patricia Hilson is survived by her husband Barry, daughter Jane and son Dean.