Ascension : TRIBUTE TO SHARON WAINWRIGHT
Submitted by The Islander (Public Relations Information Office) 25.08.2011 (Article Archived on 08.09.2011)
“Sharon’s last email to me on 11th August began with the words “No problem...”.
A tribute to Sharon Wainwright from His Excellency Governor Gurr:
“Sharon’s last email to me on 11th August began with the words “No problem...”. How typical that was of her approach to her job. Sharon was one of those very gifted and invaluable people who solved problems. Her depth of ability and breadth of responsibility within our Civil Service was such that we know it would be impossible to replace her with one individual. She was irreplaceable.
To all those who worked with Sharon she was far more than just a valued colleague – she was a friend. My weekly half-hour of one-to-one’s with Sharon seemed to pass in an instant; she was fun to talk to, she gave sound advice and she always managed to retain her quick sense of humour however bleak the situation may have seemed. She managed to overcome adversity in her own life as well as in all the disappointments concerning the airport. She was a morale booster to all those around her.
There was also a tough side to Sharon. She had the rare ability to be firm but fair, critical but understanding, identifying what needed to be done and then helping others to achieve.
She cared deeply for her own family, but she also found time to be concerned about the situation of others.
Sharon was so vibrant and full of life that we are all finding it hard to come to terms with her passing. She gave so much to this island and was determined to give yet more in the years ahead. Her death is more than untimely; it is a disaster of considerable proportion for all of us. We can ill afford to part company with someone so useful and wonderful to work with.
She will live in our memories for many years to come, and when the airport is eventually opened, whenever that may be, the many thousands who enjoy that facility and the benefits that it brings for decades to come, will owe gratitude to that memory.
That memory is of a brilliant lady – loved by us all.
Andrew Gurr
Governor
23rd August 2011
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Governor Gurr has received the following letter from Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for International Development:
Rt Hon Alan Duncan MP
Minister of State
Andrew Gurr
Governor of St Helena
The Castle
Jamestown
St Helena
18 August 2011
Dear Governor,
Friends and colleagues in DfID were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sharon Wainwright over the weekend.
Over the past seven years, Sharon has made a huge contribution to the development of an airport on St Helena, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the project and unstinting in her representation of the people of St Helena, commanding the respect and appreciation of everyone she worked with in DfID. Without Sharon’s inputs, we would not have progressed to the current stage of negotiations.
Please pass our condolences to her family and many friends in St Helena, the UK and in other places around the world. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Yours Sincerely
Alan Duncan
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