Gaynors Memories
I know of few people who can sort out a multi million pound funding bid in the morning, fix the photocopier and then buy lion cubs for Malawi in the afternoon and still find time to go shopping to Hobbs. Working with Gaynor was like running along side a fast moving tornado; the energy she possessed; the fight she had in her and the sheer determination she had to get things done and make things happen was amazing. And she was funny with such a dry sense of humour. Gaynor was a list women, she was surrounded by lists of 'things to do' and at the end of them all she always had 'get into my size 10 jeans'. I don't know what I'll miss the most about her, I guess I'll just miss Gaynor.
Helen Brzozowski, arc4
Gaynor was my boss; although I always considered her my friend and the person I could only aspire to be. She was a cat woman and I am; we would share cat jokes, pictures and bereavements,knowing that perhaps we were odd, but happy about that. Through thick and thin Gaynor was there for me, and for everyone else she knew and cared about. Her humility; her passion and her love of what is right has changed the way I think. She has influence so many people, I feel very lucky to have spent nearly five years close to her, learning from the master. I will always remember a classic Gaynor moment when she nearly talked the parking inspector into donating to PAW outside my flat when he should have been issuing her a ticket! Gaynor's wicked sense of humour will be greatly missed, and her positive attitude to everything. She was a gift to everyone who met her and will live on through her work and the inspiration she has given to so many. Thank you Gaynor.
Charlotte Bowen, arc4
Gaynor will be so sadly missed. She had such a deep concern for people and their well-being – and always looked for the good in people, always had positive things to say and was very much a ‘doer’ (including dusting bits my house when she came around!). She was even able to latch onto my lateral sense of humour which is a skill in itself and provided great encouragement to me both personally and professionally. Gaynor was dedicated to making a difference to peoples’ lives and wanted to ‘do her bit’ for the planet which was reflected in the work she instigated in Malawi (and long may it continue). A lovely person and an untimely passing – may she rest in God’s peace
Michael Bullock, Director arc4 and friend
I have worked alongside Gaynor as both a client and a colleague for over ten years and she has never failed to inspire, encourage, and support me - as well as make me laugh out loud on a regular basis. Given her penchant for lists.... these are just some of the things that I will miss about Gaynor:
Her sense of drive and purpose;
Her Blue Peter links;
Her ability to cut through chaos, solve problems and deliver positive improvements;
Her capacity for mental arithmetic;
Her patience;
Her quick wit and sense of humour;
The way her face would light up as she whipped out the ipad to show me the latest images from Malawi (raised eyebrows from those sat nearby as lion purchases were discussed!);
Her compassion and humanity;
Coffee in Betty's and 'maybe perhaps a bit of cinnamon toast? Shall we?...'
Our mutual appreciation of quality handbags; and, ultimately...
Her sparkling personality and joie de vivre.
I find it hard to comprehend that she has gone, but thank her for the good times, her support through the bad times, and for the many memories that will continue to inspire me and, of course, make me smile.
Sharon Graham, arc4 and friend
She was a fantastic colleague and friend. I will miss her dearly. I remember our first encounter back in the offices of Barnsley Council in 2004/5. She took the meeting by the horns and whipped everyone into shaped, with such authority, warmth and humour. She made a lasting impression from the start. I will always have high regard for Gaynor.
Ben Johnson, arc4
I worked with Gaynor for the last year in arc4 and the office feels so empty without her. From the day I started, she was good to work with :supportive, helpful and funny. A break from work might include looking at latest pictures of the lion cubs from Malawi or talking about music. The focus and energy she had for her work, the charity and personal interaction was admirable. I will miss her, the office feels so empty now.
Emma Koivunen, arc4
I worked with Gaynor at the Housing Corporation back in the 90's, and kept in touch during her time at Guinness. How could I not keep in touch? She was such a 'people person', and so full of energy and good ideas. So it was a delight to work more closely with her again at arc4 where she helped create a great camaraderie. She was such fun, and I'll really miss her.
Rick Elliott, Associate with arc4
Gaynor was a kind and passionate person who always saw the best and potential in people. She had extraordinary, positive and endless energy to make change happen in the world. I will always take inspiration from this, and I am thankful for the opportunities and support she gave to me and many others.
Ade Aboaba, former ABRA colleague
I only knew Gaynor for a year but her sense of humour always shone through. She was such a warm person. I shall miss her.
Simon Mitchell, Associate
I’m deeply saddened by the news of Gaynor's death. Gaynor was so well known, respected and highly regarded as a true professional. Yet again the housing world has lost a person who we desperately need at the moment in terms of her energy and optimism for life, a personality who could keep things moving despite the challenges. Can't really believe she's gone so quickly.
Judith Furlonger, Blackburn Council
Gaynor had the rare ability to inspire, to give confidence and to galvanise everyone around her. I worked along side Gaynor in the former south and west Yorkshire coalfield areas structuring a programme of housing investment to improve living conditions and attract new people to the area. Gaynor's vision and determination was key to unlocking over £25 million of investment which has been used to improve homes and the quality of the local environment.That is an impressive legacy and just one example of Gaynor's important contribution to the regeneration of neighbourhoods and communities.
Richard Laming, Director, GVA
An obituary of our friend Gaynor by David Smith (Founder Affordable Housing Institute) USA
http://affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/2011/11/gaynor-asquith-1952-2011.html
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Gaynor on a large research project a couple of years ago. I marvelled at Gaynor's technical knowledge, sense of humour and humility; a rare combination that made the project - and all of us who worked with her on it - better for having her participation. She did the work as a volunteer, because she was interested in the outcome and thought that it could make a difference in the UK and in the US. Gaynor's memory will be cherished and that the results of her hard work will continue to makethe world a better place.
Deidre Schmidt, Affordable Housing Institute
I knew Gaynor when she was at the Housing Corp, at Guinness Trust and then at arc4 and the most amazing thing about her was that she remained the same person……..grounded, self-effacing, highly supportive of others, killer sense of humour – a joy to be around.
Lyn Fenton, Hawksview
We have lost a real force for good and her energy and appetite for life are an example to us all. She would do anything to help someone in need. I knew her for 10 years and know that ABRA and ARC 4 could not have happened without her energy, drive and vision and sizable address book.. I enjoyed working with her and was proud to call her a friend - and hope that her work can continue.
Tony Brown, co-founder ABRA
I had not known Gaynor for as long as many people, but in the few yearsI knew her she was always energetic and enthusiastic and full of ideas, whichwere infectious to people around her. She was always encouraging me to do thethings I want to do and coming up with ideas about how I could do them, despiteher own very busy life. At various evenings out, she would also make sure mywine glass was never empty!
Jo Savage, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Gaynor sparkled with energy, enthusiasm, humour and passion for housing and regeneration. Her enthusiasm was infectious and ensured that colleagues found working with her an inspirational experience. She was an absolute pleasure to know and will be sorely missed.
Sasha Deepwell, S D Partnerships
We have lost an effervescent friend, someone who put her heart and soul into life and had that wry and sometimes wicked sense of humour that always produced a smile. Gaynor and I joined The Guinness Trust at the same time in the spring of 1995. Over the ensuing years she had to deal with some challenging problems in particular tackling some difficult investment (and disinvestment) issues in the north of England. Despite that she was constantly the optimist and during those years we all enjoyed working with Gaynor who fully played her part in a very sociable and supportive team of directors. In “off duty” moments we especially enjoyed Gaynor’s company and her seemingly constant fund of news and stories and for me and many others that continued post-Guinness. We will all miss her.
Richard Kitson, former Group Chief Executive, Aster Group
I was really shocked to hear about Gaynor’s illness and her sudden death over the weekend. She was my boss when I was Director of the Rochdale Housing Initiative from1998-1999. She would give out lots of ideas and always sympathetic with challenges; a real driving force. At the timeshe was Regional Director at the Guinness Trust. She will be sadly missed by her family, both personal and also her very wide family in the housing world.
Nina Robinson, Chiltern Associates
I met Gaynor many years ago when she was at the Housing Corporation. She always told me she nearly came to work at North British and because of that she should be invited to our North British ‘old pals’ do at Harrogate and she did for many years!!!
Always bright and bubbly she will be sadly missed.
Marie Elizabeth Wild, mwa peoplesolutions ltd
I only knew Gaynor for a short while, but in that time she made a great impression on me. Gaynor wa ssomeone who could explain things in terms that made everyone know what she was talking about and that helped her to get to where she wanted to be with ease and speed. To top it all she did it with a smile and made us all smile along the way. She is a sad loss to the housing world, but one thing is for sure she will sort out any housing problems that she encounters in heaven.
Clive Sellers, Managing Partner, Arcus Consulting LLP
I first got to know Gaynor when she was with the Corpy and I was NHF Regional Chair back in the early 90's. While our encounters were often "frank and fair" exchanges about grant rates and cash backing, the abiding memory is not of a grinding negotiation, but of Gaynor laughing gloriously at something nonsensical. In later meetings, when she was with Guiness and Arc4, there was no horse trading, only laughter. It is a sound I will miss.
Jim Lunney, Johnnie Johnson Housing
My memories of Gaynor are all such personal moments from her days in Cheetham Hill when the world of regeneration was fresh and new to more recent times when she bought me coffee whilst I ranted about the state of the country! Whenever I popped over to Beehive Mill she would feed my body with sandwiches and my mind with human perspectives. She helped me get back in to working in Liverpool and provided the voice of reason many times. Gaynor was also beautifully bonkers and I levitated towards her talking and thinking and also her dancing like mad in a ball gown to Tamla Motown at the Midland Hotel! I knew I had much to learn from Gaynor and I did - and I can’t quite believe she isn't still here for when I need somewhere in Ancoats for a nice ham sandwich and for the next good disco! Bye for now Gaynor. xxx
Shelagh McNerney.