Tributes have been paid to a government scientist who helped steer Britain through the Covid pandemic after she died in a cycling crash in Italy aged 27.
Susannah Boddie was thrown from her bike as she descended a steep downhill trail on a woodland path on the Brescia side of Lake Garda on Saturday morning, the Daily Mail reported.
Boddie, of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, was the lead health data scientist at No 10 Downing Street.
A statement from Boddie’s family, who asked for privacy at this time, recalled her vibrancy and the affection with which she was held by her family and friends.
It read: “Susannah lived life to the full and had achieved so much in her short life.
“She crammed more into her life than you would have thought possible.
“She was the loveliest, kindest person who always inspired and cared for others and was adored by all her many friends.
“She will leave the biggest hole in our family and that of Rob, her much-loved partner.
“She was the most wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend you could ever wish for, and her memory will continue to inspire us in all we do.”
It is believed Boddie’s work had involved offering advice to the government in its handling of the pandemic.
The Cambridge University graduate gained a degree in pharmacology and also had a master’s in systems biology, according to her LinkedIn account. She previously worked as a civil servant for the Department for Work and Pensions for three years.
She had worked as a data scientist and also as a health team manager at Downing Street.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Susannah was an incredible scientist, an inspiring sportswoman, a loved and admired colleague and friend to those at No 10 and many others within the civil service.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
PA Media contributed to this report
