1956-2022

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Hilary Firestone was a name that suited her. A sassy, smart, opinionated and knowledgeable person who cared profoundly for the people around her. She cut a dash on the ground floor restorative clinic - whether in a tunic and heels pre-COVID, or tailored scrubs during the pandemic. Dry humour and great dentistry were something she generously shared with her students and patients alike.

Hilary was born in Salford, Manchester to Rita and Merton Firestone. She attended Broughton High School; no one wanted to be head girl, so she volunteered! She was in the top set but messed up her A-Levels and had to retake them. This made her even more determined and ambitious. She chose dentistry because her biology teacher told her to!

Graduating from Birmingham University in 1980, she went to work at the London Hospital and the Liverpool Dental Hospital. She met her husband Terry at a party and returned to Manchester in 1985 when she started working as a restorative tutor at Manchester Dental School. From 1989, she worked in practice and later began working as an expert witness. She found the legal aspect of her work fascinating, taking up much of her professional spare time. She was never without a file so she could write a report wherever she found herself in a coffee shop, department store or on holiday. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching students, learning as much from them as they did from her. She did not suffer fools gladly but was the favourite tutor of hundreds of students.

She loved skiing, running, and was an intrepid traveller. She would wake at 5.15 am to do some housework and a workout before work. Her main love, other than her family and dentistry, was shopping. She always looked impeccable. Her Judaism was very important to her, especially Saturdays, the only day she rested. She would often invite students for Friday night dinner. Once she even persuaded them to come in formal black-tie attire! She actively participated in many charitable causes.

In January 2022, she was diagnosed with cancer. Teaching at Manchester Dental School for 37 years, she came across thousands of staff and students who all adored her. She was a huge presence and an icon at the Dental School who will be so sorely missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to her husband and children, Terry, Georgia, Imogen, and Ethan.

By Lynne Dover and Mark Shupac