A love of all things wild - tribute to Dr Gill Stevens

...to celebrate the life of a true one off, golden spirit and dear friend.  And to send thoughts and love to her husband Graeme and Mum Joan.

Gill and Stuart (Centre Manager) at the opening of
the Darwin Centre Sept 2009

Gill passed away 13th January after a long and determined battle with cancer, aged 45.  She died peacefully in Trinity Hospice with her family around her.  

AMC Team

Gill was Head of the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity and a hugely respected member of staff and botanist, she had worked at the Natural History Museum for many years.

She was a source of inspiration and amazing force for fun.  She had a quite unique knack of bringing dried specimens and preserved people to life!

We worked side by side for 2 1/2 years then I took over her post for 9 months while she was having treatment.  She came back to work and I took the plunge and joined Dominik in Mozambique.  

Stuart, Me, Gill - once the confetti had settled

Gill then worked on despite her health.  She had a passionate drive to inspire and engage everyone in the wonders of the natural world and to that end developed much Citizen Science.  She gained a huge lottery grant for the museum to take natural history training and learning into the field...OPAL the Open Air Laboratory.  

Gill leaves a physical legacy in the form of the Centre with its staff, programmes and collection - a legacy to foster the next generation of naturalists.

But she also loved music, theatre, poetry and to find the hidden, sunny corners of life.  She has seen more live music than anyone I know...she filled every moment.

I have danced in muddy fields and laughed in dark holes thanks to Gill.  She has left us with wonderful memories and SO much to thank her for.  Here are some poems for you ...



    
A Small Dragon

I've found a small dragon in the woodshed.
Think it must have come from deep inside a forest
because it's damp and green and leaves
are still reflecting in its eyes.

I fed it on many things, tried grass,
the roots of stars, hazel-nut and dandelion,
but it stared up at me as if to say, I need
foods you can't provide.

It made a nest among the coal,
not unlike a bird's but larger, it
is out of place here
and is quite silent.

If you believed in it
I would come hurrying to your house
to let you share my wonder,
but I want instead to see
if you yourself will pass this way.

Brian Patten

I'm going to plant a heart in the earth

water it with love from a vein

I'm going to praise it with the push of muscle

and care for it in the sound of all dimensions.

I'm going to leave a heart in the earth

so it may grow and flower

a heart that throbs with longing

that adores everything green

that will be strength and nourishment for birds

that will be the sap of plants and mountains.

Rosario Murillo

Gill's Birthday Oct 2010

A wild one: love and thanks for the words and the music