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Aileen Garden

June 7, 1945 - December 25, 2020

The administrator of this page is Graham Gordon

Aileen was a much loved wife, mum, grandma, sister, aunt, friend, counsellor, church member, community and social activist and much more. She was a strong Christian, motivated by her faith, passionate about all that she did and fiercely committed to everyone she met and to making the world a better place. We will all miss her dearly.

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Holy Trinity Tulse Hill(1)Durham and the North East(1)Brixton and London life(0)Family(1)School and University(0)Friends(1)

  • 2021-01-19 13:02:52 View / Comment (0)
    Nick Buxton

    Nick Buxton

    Nick Buxton

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    The first time I met Aileen was in the winter of 1992, on my very first visit to Durham. Sarah had invited me over for dinner. I had to shed various winter layers in their hallway, my cheeks still glowing from the sharp cold air, before descending down the warm kitchen below. I remember Aileen as having a certain fierceness combined with a deep show of warmth and hospitality to me. After initial trepidation, I quickly felt at home. I remember lively conversations, the lovely vegetarian food she had put together, all the while admiring her house full of beautiful ‘fair trade’ art. I soon realised that the fierceness I had seen was Aileen’s sharp mind and her passionate commitment to her faith and values that she sought to live out every day. They are values that she instilled in her children, my closest friends. And they are values and a faith that I share too. She showed so clearly that faith needs to be lived out in action, and that it is both personal and structural. That building God’s kingdom involves our relationships with people in our community but also involves changing the structures that perpetuate poverty and exclusion. I was inspired by all the work she did to promote fair trade for many years. Ever since that first visit to Durham, I always enjoyed visiting Aileen and Adrian, usually with one of her children. The Garden Gordons became like a family away from home. I knew that I would be warmly welcomed in and that we would have plenty to talk about. The last time we exchanged was on Facebook where we had a brief exchange on the Labour Party. It was a conversation I expected to continue in person when I next saw her. I am sad that will never now happen but am deeply grateful for the way she shaped and influenced so many, especially Graham, Martin, Sarah, Paul and Adrian. If I was in the UK and it wasn’t a pandemic, I would have very much wanted to attend her funeral, but am glad I can join it virtually. Sending you all my love, Nick

  • 2021-01-10 01:12:14 View / Comment (2)
    Pamela Wyborn

    Pamela Wyborn

    Pamela Wyborn

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    When I think of Aileen, like most people I remember her unfailing kindness, her generosity in so many ways, her wonderful cooking, her love of books, her joy in plants and flowers - especially in her own garden - her favourite colours in the mauve/lilac spectrum, her sense of humour, her reliability, her organisational skills, and her willingness to share her knowledge and talents wherever they could be useful - the list is endless!! But the thing I shall remember forever about Aileen is how bravely and uncomplainingly she coped with the awful cancer which could have laid her so low. Instead she continued, as far as possible, to do the things she loved - gardening, walking, keeping in contact with family and friends, even when she became very ill indeed. Her amazing, indomitable spirit shone through those last months and weeks - she simply refused to give up, and that’s the overriding memory I will always have of her. Aileen The Indomitable!! But now, Aileen, rest in perfect peace. With much love, Pam

    • 2021-01-18 20:09:26 wrote:

    I first met Aileen and Adrian in 1987 shortly after moving from St Albans to Durham. Life centred around St Nicholas' Church (the 'Church in the Market Place') and it was here that I first learnt about Fairtrade and came to love Aileen for her tender heart and her tenacity in working for a just and fair society. She was there when my first child was born. I moved from Durham in 1993 and have lived in many places since but we kept in touch (thanks to Aileen not me) and from time to time would meet up in London to talk about books, art, family, life and theology. They were always special times. My fondest memories are of the two of us meeting on the South Bank and putting the world to rights and the three of us enjoying lovely relaxed meals in the flat. So pleased that I managed an overnight stay in July 2019 admiring the garden once again and with a guided tour of Brixton taking in Holy Trinity and hearing more about all the important stuff going on. I remember Aileen for her love of purple which we share and her many silver rings but above all for her loving friendship over so many years. I miss you brave soul. Rest in peace Aileen. Mandy x

    2021-01-18 20:09:26 wrote: I first met Aileen and Adrian in 1987 shortly after moving from St Albans to Durham. Life centred around St Nicholas' Church (the 'Church in the Market Place') and it was here that I first learnt about Fairtrade and came to love Aileen for her tender heart and her tenacity in working for a just and fair society. She was there when my first child was born. I moved from Durham in 1993 and have lived in many places since but we kept in touch (thanks to Aileen not me) and from time to time would meet up in London to talk about books, art, family, life and theology. They were always special times. My fondest memories are of the two of us meeting on the South Bank and putting the world to rights and the three of us enjoying lovely relaxed meals in the flat. So pleased that I managed an overnight stay in July 2019 admiring the garden once again and with a guided tour of Brixton taking in Holy Trinity and hearing more about all the important stuff going on. I remember Aileen for her love of purple which we share and her many silver rings but above all for her loving friendship over so many years. I miss you brave soul. Rest in peace Aileen. Mandy x

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