Nick Buxton
19-01 2021 13:02
wrote:
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
Nick Buxton
19-01 2021 13:02
wrote:
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
