Simone Borg writes:
When I heard about Bella's passing away, as my heart ached terribly for the loss of a friend and colleague, my thoughts veered on her memory and I could not help but smile. Trust Bella to do everything so quietly without drawing attention to herself. Despite her excellent qualities, she always chose not to impose herself upon others even throughout her short and cruel illness.
If there were two particular characteristic of hers that stood out, I think it would be her incredible sense of humour and her caring motherly nature towards all who knew her. Her commitment towards her family, her friends, colleagues and clients was impressive.
I came to know Bella mainly as a working colleague but it was a natural reaction to start counting immediately upon her as a friend, to enjoy a few good laughs with her despite a busy schedule, even if we did not see much of one another. She was always welcome company and enjoyed everybody's trust. Her sound ethical qualities shone, particularly in her career as a maritime legal consultant even when it meant she had to suffer for it. Her kind heart never allowed her to bear animosity towards anybody even those who wronged her.
From the little I know about her, she did not have an easy life but she was strong-willed and achieved all that she had through her incredible sense of responsibility as well as her steadfast nature. At the same time, her avid love for animals reflected her simple nature always ready to crack a joke and to surprise others with a little gift, every time she visited. She was ever devoted to all and she showed it.
You will be sorely missed Bella but I am sure that you will be at home in heaven where you definitely deserve to be. May your memory among us serve to remind us that, like you, we should love God and others with a child-like heart. You were indeed a gift to all those who knew you. You always made us smile Bella and, even on this sad occasion, as we join your brother Paul and relatives to commemorate your parting to eternal life, we think of you and all that you were for us and thank God for your short life. Indeed, you took Mother Theresa's advice: your life was full of little deeds done with great love.