Erdmute Greis-Behrendt

Very sad to hear of Erdmute's death in a year which has taken a heavy toll on Reuters friends and colleagues. Erdmute was right at the heart of the East Berlin bureau for decades while correspondents came and went, guided on their way by her knowledge and insights and drawing heavily on her administrative abilities in the day-to-day life of the Schoenhauser Allee office. She showed in her features for the German language service what a good writer she was too, and would have done more if given more scope under a less intransigent regime. Warm-hearted, generous and good-humoured, she was a great friend who brightened up any gathering, never seeming to let anything get her down. And, like so many others, I'll specially remember Erdmute's bubbling sense of fun and pealing laughter. My condolences to Thomas and Max. ■