'What a sadder, stupider world it is already without her'

I first became a fan of Rachel's writing, all those 25-plus years ago, because of how clever but warm, engaged but questioning all of her articles were, whether she was writing about food, interviewing scientists or explaining her love of cricket.

- Hadley Freeman, columnist

And when I was lucky enough to become friends with her about a decade later, I realised she was all that in person - but in even greater proportions. Rachel was interested in so much, bursting wit