Richard Stephens

Firstly can I say how utterly devastated I was to hear the news about Gill. She was a wonderful friend and I don't need to tell you how much she'll be missed by everyone who knew her.

Gill played a very important part in my integration into London Jewish life. I'm from Cardiff and moved to London in 1989 to do my Law Society Finals. I spent my first year in Golders Green but didn't meet very many people. Then I found out that Eliot Renton, who had been living with Gill in Hendon, was moving out. I moved in to 5 Somerset Road and lived with Gill, Simone Sinclair (now Landau) and Adam Simon for the next year.

This completely changed my life!

Not only were Gill and the others extremely welcoming and tolerant of this strange new Welshman, they also introduced me to a huge number of their friends who have remained a major part of my life ever since.

Gill was always smiling and had a great sense of humour but was caring and sensitive too. I recently had a bit of a health scare and Gill was one of the first people to call me and make sure I was ok.