Tribute to Louisa Gosling, 1960 - 2024

My deepest condolence to Louisa Gosling immediate family, you will forever be missed by all in the WASH fraternity.

I had the absolute honour and privilege to work with Louisa to lead workshops. As someone so young at the time and so early in my journey into the WASH sector, I knew I was being taught by the best there could be. There was always fun to be had when teaching and training others about taboo issues from menstrual hygiene, disability, and not to say the least from my perspective, the perimenopause. Behind all of this however was Louisa’s immense passion to reduce inequalities throughout WASH, which never faded. Knowing Louisa personally throughout my time in the WASH sector and having the opportunity to see her transform so much is what shapes my work . We remained in touch until this day. I am saddened we were unable to have that virtual coffee we had planned just a couple of weeks before she left us. Louisa will forever be present in all I do in my professional life ahead. I will miss her greatly. May she rest in peace.

It was a fantastic service for an inspirational woman. Go softly, and with great power Louisa...

Louisa was always a joy to work with. No matter the challenges, she kept a clear focus on the goal and the opportunities for real change, and always brought wisdom and constructive ideas to the team, with respect, humility and a brilliant sense of humour in all her interactions. Her commitment to social justice, good aid/development, and to ensuring leadership from the global south ran through everything she did – and she had a talent for making those things happen. It was a real honour to have known Louisa, and I learned a lot from working with her. My thoughts are with her family - so sorry for your loss.

It was my immense pleasure & privilege to know Louisa for many years - initially as a colleague & then as a friend. Her warmth, her friendliness, her empathy & compassion was remarkable. She will forever live in our hearts and mind 🌹🌹🌹

It was my immense pleasure & privilege to know Louisa for many years - initially as a colleague & then as a friend. Her warmth, her friendliness, her empathy & compassion was remarkable. She will forever live in our hearts and mind 🌹🌹🌹

Louisa was the most accepting and understanding person I know. She has always respected and embraced other cultures. As a mentor, she provided unwavering support, even amidst her many priorities. She consistently made time to reach out, sharing new initiatives and guiding me on who to connect with. I love you, Louisa, and I will always cherish your kindness and integrity. 💕❤️

I have no words to express the sadness that I feel but I think of you, dearest Louisa, so often. When I see a lovely flower in the morning, a butterfly dancing by, or when the evening sun lends colour to the sky, I think of you and your lovely smile.....

Louisa transformed the lives of so many people. She was an inspiration. A fine woman. She encouraged our choir's longstanding association with WaterAid. Louisa and all her family are in our thoughts With much love. Biddy and Joe

I first met Louisa at Save the Children, where she was the monitoring and evaluation officer, way back in 1989. We were a gang of four, lots of fun, but also serious about our work. Through the years we stayed in touch, also united by the shared experience of mothering four boys. Louisa was always quirky, funny, gracious, and kind. She seemed to live on a lighter plane - never taking things too seriously, and yet knowing what mattered. In the last few years, she was a great counsellor after my oldest son, Luke, died. She was very present with people - something that she shared with him, in fact. You always left her feeling a little better. And even in the last few months, as she was managing her pain, she was still spreading positivity. She called me up, told me I was a great person, reassured me, telling me that she was grateful for the amazing life she had had. Even as she was dying, she was trying to make those around her feel ok about it. I reach for religious terms here - she was positively saintly, and seemed to have reached some stage of grace. Dear Louisa, how we will miss you. The network of friends you built is testimony to your great heart and achievements. Thinking of the huge hole you leave in your family, but also knowing that they will be sustained by all the love and laughter over the years. Thank you, dear friend.

We met Louisa around 1979, a student, ‘home’ for the weekend. When Bob and Veronica first moved to Hay Farm in Gloucestershire, Louisa asked in the local Glasshouse pub whether anyone could help her Dad with a chimney problem and as it happened, Chas volunteered. Subsequently a family friendship developed, which has been inter generational and has lasted well over 40 years. I feel privileged to have seen Louisa develop (albeit often from a distance), from that young woman to the grandmother she eventually became. I’m thinking of her life as a sister to four brothers, then life with Toby and subsequently their lives with four sons. I can only imagine how much this special woman meant to them all. She struck me as an intuitive mother to her boys and I have fond memories of observing her playing with them. She was always open and wanted to connect with those who happened to be at Hay Farm. She equally had a life of her own, interesting and dedicated to helping others. Later in life she showed great care for Veronica’s wellbeing and was deeply concerned about how best to support her mother. I’m sad that Louisa’s life has ended so early yet I feel her journey to death had such dignity and it was made to feel inclusive. Thank you for that. It seems she died in the way she’d lived her life - open hearted and inclusive. Farewell dear Louisa With love from the Donovan’s xx