I met Gina at the local college when Gina and John moved to Glasgow for John’s work.

Gina was a striking looking lady with her purple framedspectacles and matching purple streak in the front of her dark hair, her olive skin and dimples.

We struck up a conversation and soon became firm friends sharing the same wicked sense of humour.

Everyday spent at college was a pleasure and highly entertaining with my new buddy.

I can honestly say i have never laughed so much in my life. We laughed so hard we had tears streaming down our faces.

Lunch times were spent in the pub with our lecturers, the patter was brilliant. When Gina got ribbed for being English she took it well and answered back with a quick witted retort.

Gina did not suffer fools gladly and I witnessed her putting people in their places with a stern look over the purple glasses. I loved that about her.

Gina and I were very competative with one another and we both attained A grades in our course.

When I met Gina i was newly divorced and feeling a little vunerable. Gina helped me through it, she was a good listener and gave good advice.

My partner in crime and I then decided we should get fit and joined a ladies only gym, where we would go to work out but mostly for catching up with gossip.

Gina would amaze me with her strength and stamina, one day i turned round and there was Gina lifting a massive big weight, high above her head  (any professional weight lifter would have been proud). It was then i gave Gina the nickname “Gina G, warrior princess”.

Gina loved life, she adorred her family, hubby Jim and daughter Danni. She would talk about them with such pride. They were such a close, loving family. It was lovely to see.

Gina’s other love was her little red Fiat sports car. She really looked the part driving her wee car ‘Rossa’, i thinkshe called it. It matched her so well.

I remember visiting Gina and John in their home in Kirkintilloch, John cooked us the South African dish Babottie as I had spent most of my married life living in Cape Town. It was truly delicous and very thoughtful.

We had a few more nights at Gina and John’s, John wasa fabulous cook, they were great hosts, you were always made to feel very welcome.

One time i remember visiting them after it had been snowing, there was a nice snowman out in the front garden and when i was leaving, pished, i couldnt resist assaulting that poor snowman, with a swift kick i brought him down, then carried on my merry way.

Fortunatelyfor me they found my bad behaviour amusing.

Gina loved her garden, she would spend many hours there making it look pretty, she was very green fingered with a great eye for detail.

All good things have to come to an end and Gina and John moved back to Wales.

We kept intouch via Facebook. I missed my partner in crime very much.

Gina was beautiful inside and out, a special lady, one of a kind who will be sadly missed. I have such fond memories of my old pal.

RIP Gina, gone but never forgotten.

love,

Donna X