Obituary for NAPO News

by Vicky Boroughs (Wilts and Glos branch)
Ros Gill died on February 20th after having first been diagnosed with cancer over 7 years ago. Her career in the Probation Service spanned nearly 30 years.

After working for a brief spell in Middlesbrough she moved to Oxford where she worked as a maingrade PO and latterly as a Senior. For much of this period Ros was key in the branch activities (B B & O, now Thames Valley). She was a most diligent and conscientious Branch Secretary but as in so many other aspects of her life she also applied herself with enthusiasm and humour.
Members talk of her as a woman with integrity and, as such, they would await her considered view. She was a regular attender of Conference in the '70s, '80s and early '90s, and also contributed to debate.

Whilst she may not have been so active in her later years she remained supportive and, despite her illness, was always keen to initiate discussion about current issues for NAPO and the Service.

Ros was an exceptionally determined and principled person who worked tirelessly to uphold the values of the old Service she was once proud to be a part of . She was a good feminist whose strong sense of outrage at injustice and inequality was reflected both in her personal/social life and at work.
She coped with her illness with a strength and an amazing lack of self-pity that left us all speechless with admiration.

Ros had so many gifts and qualities too numerous to mention here. one of the many things I valued about her was the importance her women friends always had in her life.

I first met Ros over 22 years ago and she soon became my closest friend. I, like many friends and colleagues in Thames Valley, will miss her terribly. Our lives are all the richer for knowing her.