Correspondents write:
GILLIAN JOYNSON-HICKS (née Schluter) had the gift of an unusual sensitivity to those around her. This was perhaps derived from the challenges that she faced in her childhood.
Born in Kenya in late 1942, a year later, Gill was left for many months with her grandmother in Nairobi. Gill’s father was in the Northern Frontier District of Kenya with the King’s African Rifles, and her mother joined him during the remaining months of the war. The family returned to the UK in 1947, but, by the age of ten, Gill had started to develop problems with her knees because of rickets. This led to a lifelong struggle, limiting her involvement in sport, and, in later years, her mobility. The results were not only a compassion for and understanding of those facing weakness, but also an uncomplaining drive and determination that would, over the years, illuminate and empower the lives of many.
Having taken her O levels at West Heath School, Sevenoaks, Gill took articles with a City firm of accountants. During her training, she joined a Bible-study group of the Stewards’ Trust. Gill had a keen mind, always looking outward, and, during those years, grew into a clear understanding of her Christian faith, the foundations for which had been laid during her childhood. In the group, she met Crispin Joynson-Hicks, a London solicitor. Crispin was somewhat reserved, and, although he had apparently “noticed” Gill, he did not express that to her — indeed, it was only after they were engaged that Crispin invited Gill out to dinner for the first time.
On qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1965, soon after her marriage to Crispin, she left the profession and started working part-time with the family coffee firm, in both London and East Africa. Her financial background and business experience, together with the time spent in Africa, proved valuable throughout her life, as she went on to serve in many different organisations.
From those early years, both she and Crispin were involved in the churches where they lived, initially mainly in London, and thereafter in East Sussex. She was also Chair of the House of Laity in Chichester diocese (1991-99) and a General Synod member (1990-2005). She was a Church Commissioner from 1991, becoming Third Church Estates Commissioner in 1999, the first woman to hold the position.
When she stepped down in 2005, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: “Gill has been a mainstay for the often unseen, unsung but vital work of support for the Church’s mission, and she has brought to this work a distinctive personal commitment to mission and renewal.”
Gill was also a member of the Crown Nominations Commission for ten years from 1995. As chair of the oversight group for Springboard, set up by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for the Decade of Evangelism in the 1990s, Gill is still remembered for both the challenge and the encouragement that she gave to the leaders of that initiative.
Gill’s life was characterised by a strong faith, diligence, and courage. Never shy of hard work, her courage was evident not just in her uncomplaining nature in the face of physical challenges, but also her entrepreneurial spirit, and her willingness to speak truth to power where she felt necessary. As one senior churchman said, she had that rare quality of being able to make a positive impact at an institutional level, while, at the same time, doing so at a personal level. This was evident not just in her contribution to the different synods and commissions in the Church of England, but also in the other organisations with which she was involved. These included, among others, the Church Mission Society (CMS), the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), Mildmay Mission Hospital, London, and Kingsway Publishing. She also had a wide impact by being both approachable and yet bold about her faith in leading others to Christ.
Gill was also an innovator, and did not hesitate to step out into new areas. While serving as High Sheriff of East Sussex, she initiated, in 1999, the East Sussex Prayer Breakfast, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary. This highlights another of Gill’s gifts: her ability to draw together a group of people to work together on new initiatives, giving them continuity. Among these were her involvement in the launch of the family house parties by the Stewards’ Trust, the Days of Encouragement in London for women over 55, and a bible study for the wives of Peers in the House of Lords. With Crispin, she was instrumental in supporting the launch of the Newick Park Initiative, a peacebuilding initiative in the late 1980s, working with the different protagonists which contributed towards a peaceful end to apartheid in South Africa in 1994.
She was appointed OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1996 “for humanitarian services and for services to the community in London”.
What stands out about Gill, though, was her ability to listen carefully to value people as individuals, regardless of race or background, to help them to find ways through their challenges. Her wisdom, her quick mind, her sense of humour, combined with a deep empathy and understanding were a source of support and strength both within her immediate and broader family and to countless others who benefited from her generosity with her time, and her untiring hospitality.
Gill died in her sleep early on 28 October, aged 81. She leaves behind Crispin, children Emma, Rowena, Paul, and Amy, ten grandchildren, her sister, Anne, and brothers, Michael and John.