Microsoft channel mourns Penny Crafar

Correction 8:40am 10.6.2016: Alessandro Cardoso is a current Microsoft MVP and was never an employee of Microsoft.

Microsoft Australia staff and channel partners are mourning last week's death of partner business development manager Penny Crafar.

Crafar started with Microsoft in her native New Zealand in 2004, before transferring to Microsoft Australia in 2006. She had performed the partner business development manager role for the last two years – her second stint in the vendor's channel.

Mick Badran, chief technology officer of award-winning Microsoft partner MOQdigital and Microsoft MVP, paid tribute to Crafar on his blog on Sunday.

"Penny was our friend first, and Microsoft account manager second. Those lines were often blurred and she made a point in treating the person. She brought many many many unique life experiences to the table and had an amazing outlook," he said.

"Amazing spirit, love for life and superb sense of humour that rivaled the best. I was in tears most times."

Penny you’ll be missed… 2016 https://t.co/Hqwp6qv7Kb pic.twitter.com/060UDy2XF0

— Mick Badran (@mickba) June 5, 2016

CRN understands Crafar passed away suddenly on Thursday. Microsoft Australia declined to comment out of respect for Crafar's family, a spokesperson said.

Alessandro Cardoso, RXP Services' cloud, identity and security technology strategist and Microsoft MVP, said he learnt of Crafar's death with "great sadness and surprise".

"She was always looking after others, extremely enthusiastic and full of life. She will be missed," he told CRN, while also recalling a visit to Disneyworld with Crafar during the Microsoft World Partner Conference last year in Orlando.