Naomi Burke-Shyne

Thank you for all the deaths your work stopped, and doing your best to reduce PWUD-Stigma. All the love and strength to you family, friends and all who miss you

My deepest condolences to Naomi's family and loved ones.

I met Naomi when she joined OSF but got to know her as she took on the leadership of HRI. She was a true advocate -- always looked for opportunities to move the needle and did so with grace and fearlessness. And with a brilliant smile. Always a voice of reason with intent and great integrity. London and Geneva will forever feel like cities with a void, where someone important is no longer around the corner. My deepest condolences to Matt and others who loved her.

Naomi was a gift to all who met her, a rare person who would light up a room and left all who met her with a sense that they mattered and were valued. The fact that so many people in her field have been moved to write about her impact on them is testimony to how she lived her life and the joy she gave to so many. But I have also seen how she gave her husband, my old friend Matt, a decade of real happiness. Their love was a rare thing, it ran deep and it was moving to watch from afar. Naomi shone brightly for too short a time but without doubt her life was a gift to us all. As I read recently in an article by Jonathan Sacks: "Mortality is written into the human condition, but so too is the possibility of immortality, in the good we do that continues, long after we are here, to beget further good. There are lives that defeat death and redeem existence from tragedy." In Naomi we saw just such a life. We will miss her deeply.

Deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues zika Naomi. Sikhala nani

Naomi – you shone so bright, with such poise, grace and humility. You were always the smartest person in the room and had a unique way of helping others see with more clarity and curiosity. As so many have written, you never centred yourself and you were always careful to lift up others. You rarely spoke of your past health struggles, only sharing this quietly with me one day in a very matter-of-fact way. I greatly admired your no-nonsense, calm approach to our shared mission. And coupled with this was your awesome sense of humour, brilliant mind, inimitable wit and great skill with memes which brightened up many dull meetings. I remember when you told me that our initials together were pretty cool – NBS AF – that meant we were a great team. I have missed you from the day you left HRI. Your contribution to the harm reduction and drug policy reform movement is immeasurable – as is the loss we now feel as you leave us much, much too soon. Thank you for sharing your light. Rest in power my fierce friend xxx

Deeply devastated by the passing of beautiful Naomi. I only met her a couple of times but she was so welcoming and considerate and kind and compassionate and hilarious and supportive with a beautiful soul. I am so sorry for your loss x

Naomi is one of the most wonderful people I met in my entire life. I keep thinking of her wonderful smile and the joy she brought with her everywhere she went. I am missing her deeply. My deepest condolences to Naomi's family and loved ones Monica