This is Bristol --SMILING happily together this young couple were enjoying the trip of a lifetime cycling round the world – but tragedy struck when they were killed in an accident in Thailand.
Artists Mary Thompson, who was born and brought up in Bristol, and her partner Peter Root were 18 months into a round-the-world cycling trip when they were knocked off their bicycles by a pick-up truck on February 13, 70 miles east of Bangkok.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate the lives of the much-loved pair on Monday in Downend.
The couple had travelled across 23 countries, spanning Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and were planning to go on to New Zealand.
The pair, who were both 34, had met at art college in Cornwall 14 years ago and lived together in Guernsey before they went travelling just over 18 months ago.
Mary was born in Fishponds' Wendover Hospital on September 24, 1978 – just a stone's throw from the family home on Downend Road – the daughter of Jen and John, and younger sister to Ben.
She attended Christ Church Primary and Downend Secondary schools, followed by two years at Filton College studying for her A-levels and a year completing an art foundation at Bath College of Art.
While she never married, Mary met Pete, the love of her life, in 1999 at Falmouth College of Arts while studying for a degree in Fine Art, for which she achieved a First.
After graduating, the couple spent a brief period living and working in Bristol before moving to Guernsey – where Pete had lived from an early age – and made their home there. Mary became an apprentice jeweller, spending five years learning her trade under goldsmith Derek Birch and becoming one of the island's most respected up-and-coming jewellers, while Pete taught digital media and design at the Guernsey College of Further Education.
Mary and Pete were both talented, highly acclaimed artists who put on numerous exhibitions all over the UK and as far afield as Istanbul and Bolivia. Pete had work displayed in the Saatchi gallery, while Mary exhibited at the prestigious Waterman's Gallery in London.
Their other great passion was travelling. They spent a year travelling around South America after graduating, and subsequently spent significant periods of time exploring Europe, India, China, Japan, southern Africa and the US.
This, coupled with their love of cycling – they had previously cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2008 – led them to their last great adventure – cycling around the world.
They were documenting their life-changing experiences through a blog – www.twoonfourwheels.com – where they would share videos and photos.
Mary's brother Ben Thompson told The Post: "Mary was a ray of sunshine – a hugely positive, gentle person who just loved people and making friends. Equally, Pete's dry wit, irreverent sense of humour, generosity and boundless enthusiasm won him friends everywhere he went.
"Many people just talk about their dreams – Mary and Pete actually went out there and lived them.
"The world is undoubtedly a much poorer place for their passing, and they leave behind two heartbroken families and countless friends."
The couple's funeral was held in Guernsey last month, but a service of thanksgiving to celebrate their lives will be held at Christ Church in Downend at 3pm on Monday.
The family ask for no flowers, but for those who wish to make a donation, a charitable trust has been set up in their names.
Cheques can be made out to FJ Root, Rocquemer, Val au Bourg, St Martin, Guernsey, GY4 6EP.
This money will go into the Peter Root and Mary Thompson Charitable Trust for future promotion of the arts and other charitable interests. Reported by This is 6 hours ago.