Gillian Clifford, a training manager at a charity working with people with learning difficulties, has died aged 37 after losing her battle with cancer.
Gillian was born on December 9, 1970 in Prestonpans. She attended St Gabriel's Primary School and the local Catholic secondary.
While still at school she was a volunteer for East Lothian Special Needs Playscheme, forging links with many of the chi
ldren that would last throughout her lifetime.
It was to herald the start of a life of helping others.
She went to university in London to study for an arts degree. Upon her return to Scotland she took up employment in the social care sector, including a spell with Ark Housing.
In her late 20s she worked for Childcare Works, a project that gives women training in childcare, before taking up her post at the Scottish Consortium For Learning Disability at age 32.
Director Lisa Curtis said: "My first impressions were that she really loved what she was doing. I remember before her interview she said she would stay up at night reading training manuals, so as well as her confidence it was dedication to the job that stood out. She was a breath of fresh air to the team. She had a great sense of humour. When we train people we give out certificates, but at Christmas time she gave out mock-certificates.
"I received one for getting lost all the time. She always had a way of saying 'superb' to people when they'd done something really well that filled you with confidence."
Gillian also developed a whole range of courses for Scottish Borders Council.
The aim of the courses was to empower people with learning disabilities to train others – including social work professionals – and how to deal with people in their situation with respect and understanding.
She also developed a group called Calling the Shots, a steering group for social work training, also in the Borders.
She developed a tutorial scheme for people with learning disabilities to provide training at Glasgow Caledonian University, and a similar project with Mental Health Tribunals.
Ms Curtis added: "She had a lot of confidence in people, not just people with learning disabilities.
"She had a skill for making people believe they could 'do it!' She would spend hours with people and get a very professional result.
"The main impact of her work was to change how people with learning disabilities are seen by professionals."
Gillian was diagnosed with colon cancer around 18 months ago, and was treated at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow.
The Prestonpans community all rallied round her, raising money for cancer research.
Despite their best efforts, doctors were unable to bring the cancer under control and she died on August 17, leaving behind her eight-year-old son Sean, mum Veronica, sister Yvonne and stepfather George.
She was buried in Prestonpans Cemetery following a requiem mass at St Gabriels Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday.
In recognition of her achievement a representative from the Scottish Government was at her funeral.
The full article contains 516 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
