Members of the House of Lords have paid tribute to the parliamentary staff on the last sitting day before the Christmas recess.
Yesterday Lord Bassam of Brighton, the Lords chief whip, paid tribute to Siobhan Conway, who died in August aged 37.
She began her career as a personal secretary in the committee office and soon played a "crucial" role supporting the committees as an IT officer.
"She was an inspiration," Lord Bassam told the House.
"She was known, however, not only for her expertise, which was beyond question, but also for her warmth and sense of fun.
"I have it on good authority that Siobhan was the life and soul of every office party and, indeed, of the very corridor on which she worked.
"Her loss came as a great shock to her colleagues, many of whom were present at her funeral this summer.
"I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in extending our sincere condolences to Siobhan's family and friends."
Lord Bassam that 2009 had been a "difficult year for the House" and staff at all levels "have been on the front line in facing the scrutiny and criticism" that parliament has faced.
"Their professionalism, discretion and composure in handling such attention has, I am sure all will agree, been consistently impressive," he said.
He also paid a particular tribute to a "legend," the former House of Lords director of public information, Mary Morgan, who retired in October.
"Mary was no novice in handling politically sensitive issues of interest to the media," he said.
"At a very early stage in the course of her career here, she had to address stories about the Lord Chancellor's wallpaper and the Lying in State, to name but two, even before this year's expenses became the hot political topic."
Lord Bassam said Mary Morgan set up and developed the "highly-respected and valued range of publications which now actively promote the work of the House".
Opposition chief whip Baroness Anelay of St Johns paid tribute to the "remarkable service of Hedley Duncan who retired as Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod this year after 10 years' service to this House".
She added: "I also commend the remarkable service of Dave Foley, our Redcoat in Black Rod's Department, who served us memorably for 12 years."
Baroness Anelay said Foley's "sense of loyalty and duty were evident daily".
Liberal Democrat chief whip Lord Shutt of Greetland said that despite public disgust at parliamentarians, Lords staff "have persevered and kept going".
"We should all be grateful that, if they have attracted some of that odium, they have not shown any demoralisation."
He thanked Shirley Hutson, who is retiring as head housekeeper in the Department of Facilities.
"It is a post that she has held since 2000, having joined the Lords as a housemaid and cleaner in Black Rod's Department in 1990," he said.
"Her personal commitment to the House and her high standard of professionalism have been noted over the years, and in her current role her firm but fair management style has been just what has been needed to secure the highest standards from her team."
Lord Shutt also paid tribute to Peter Clark, a senior attendant in the Department of Facilities, who retired in April after 12 years service.
Baroness D'Souza, convenor of the crossbench peers, thanked the staff for "their devoted service while remaining ever-helpful, ever-calm and ever-cheerful".
