Several weeks ago, Malta lost what to me was its greatest ambassador, Jacqueline Azzopardi, from the University of Malta.

I first dealt with Jackie when inquiring about an opportunity to lecture in Malta as a Fulbright scholar. She invited me to attend an international conference in St Julian’s and I later returned to teach criminology with her faculty and again to explore developing programmes with her institution and mine.

The time I knew her was too short, far too short, and her life was cut far too short as well.

She had so, so much to offer all of us with her sense of humour and playfulness alongside her tremendous intellect and energy.

Jackie seemed to love everyone she met and everyone loved her back. My wife and I still cannot comprehend her passing and I wanted to make sure to let the Maltese know how well she reflected their lovely nation and the people.