Eulogy for Gabs by Joanna Harris We talked about this day quite a lot, Gabs and I. At one point she wanted there to be a mock award ceremony, pretending to hand out trophies to people she knew would play keys roles in the future for Tabitha and Jo Jo, to their Angels as she called them. Best outdoor adventurers, great London experiencers, emotional supporters, that sort of thing. We quickly realised there were too many, just far too many people whom she knew would play important roles in their lives. In the end she decided she would leave me to write my words about her, in full knowledge that public speaking terrifies me. Thanks Gabs! These past years of her illness have brought with them so many challenges and wonderful things and she rose to them all. The outpouring of emotion towards her gave her a level of contentment and security that visibly lifted her, to know how broad and wide the blanket of love that surrounded her, Si and the kids was. It helped to keep her strong and I thank you all, from her, with all her heart. In recent weeks I’ve been able to read messages that so many of you have sent to Gabs and Si and also to me, to try and express how you feel about her. What has stood out for me in so many of these is how she has changed people’s lives for the better. It seems that, just like me, we all found in Gabs something remarkable that we wanted to bottle up and use in our daily lives. Something special that you don’t find every day. Her ability to live life for the moment, clearly often unplanned, with a level of joy and relentless humour that just made life a more wonderful place to be. I’d laugh easier in her company, my shoulders would drop and the stresses of the world would disappear. I would just bask in her view of the world and ability to live it to the full. Over the years I’ve known her, we crossed the line between friend and family so many times that the line soon came to disappear. A rare and special thing to share so much of each other’s lives, loves, laughs and bumps in the road. We even worked together for a while. I witnessed her amazing gift for design and natural sense of style. I also came to know her incredible ability to organise and disorganise at the same time. Her skill for not letting a silly thing like timing get in the way of life. Love and laughter would always come first. I must remember that. She’d face most things with a smile and a cheeky giggle and probably some naughtiness thrown in for good measure. At mine and Warwick’s wedding, fate decided that a pole was needed to hold up the marquee above the dance floor. The temptation was simply too much for Gabs and I got to see her dancing skills in full effect, to the joy of all around her. I did love to watch her dance, and sing and generally perform. Something she did at every opportunity. What a talented poem reading, speech writing, pink haired, shy and timid little thing she was! We’ve walked and talked, swum and talked, skied and talked and sailed and talked. We’ve driven and talked a lot and often accidentally extended our journey by several junctions because of it. And all the while we laughed. Her devotion to Simon was as compete as his to her. Crazy in love and so lucky to have found each other. Her heart swelled with pride for her children Tabitha and Jo Jo, and relished every little bit of their growing up. They both remind me so much of her, and it is a pleasure to have these two precious nuggets of her in our lives. Such a special lady, so many gifts. Stylish and fabulous, kind and loving, dear and treasured. Someone once told me that a good friend should always make you feel good about yourself. I’m not sure that is true. For me Gabs was a brilliant balance of bringing out the best in me, but also being honest and sincere. Not a sycophant, but a good guide, uplifting and positive. I’d often leave her company feeling like the best version of myself, good and bad together but both at their best. That is a true friendship to me. And now a little poem, Because I told her that I would Though she’d do a better job As is clearly understood She lived for every minute She couldn’t have loved more Her reach has been so wide The church is busting at the door We will feel her in our lives She has changed us to our core And if she was here now She’d be wanting a dance floor.

God only chooses the most interesting and lovely for his angels.

We hope that you find this tribute to Gabrielle a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.