The Point

Last updated: 27 June 2022.

Shirley Gibb – Memories and Reflections of a Comrade and Friend

  

28^th September 1943 – 19^th May 2013

Readers of The Point will be saddened to hear of the recent passing of our dear friend and comrade Shirley Gibb. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Shirley’s family and her numerous friends. Shirley was one of the founding members of The Point and also our predecessor, the DGS. Instead of publishing an obituary that would be written by one person, we thought that it would be a nice idea to ask a few of the people who knew Shirley to share their thoughts and memories of this remarkable woman. The list below is by no means exhaustive. If you knew Shirley and want to leave a message or share a memory then please post in the comments section at the end of this tribute.

 

From the Point’s Notes on Contributors - Shirley Gibb has worked as a journalist, a teacher, a researcher and a playgroup leader. In the spare hours left over, she has befriended prisoners, taken part in numerous political campaigns, written a book, stood as an electoral candidate, and brought up five children. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband of forty-odd years, and when she's not doing The Times crossword, playing beetle drive with one of her seven grandchildren, or trying to identify and cook strange looking vegetables, she can be found in front of the rolling news in various states of outrage at the world we live in.

 

Steve Arnott - It is no exaggeration to say that Shirley Gibb played a key part in the development of The Point, and its precursor, the Democratic Green Socialist. This was evident not only in the many articles she wrote, or the role she played as part of our editorial team, but in her approach to problem solving and consensus building. Any major enterprise has to have a team of people if it’s to be successful, people with their own visions and drives, and people who can help bring those varied threads together to create a diverse yet unified tapestry. Shirley was one of the latter, always trying to see different points of view and bring them together in a commonsense and pragmatic way; open minded as she was open hearted, Shirley was an idealist in the very best kind of way.

I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about Shirley - either political friend or foe. There was, as we say in Fife, ‘nae sides to her’. She was someone who didn’t just believe in socialism, she practiced it in her everyday life; in her choices, her support for more worthy causes than you could shake a stick at, and in her attitude to others.

She believed in people and that a better society could be built for people.

We hold Shirley’s memory dear in our hearts, but the best memorial we can build to Shirley is to win the independence referendum in 2014 – a cause she passionately believed in, and then use that opportunity to build a modern open socialist Scotland, and a better world for all.

 

Rosemary Byrne - In Memory of Shirley Gibb a great comrade and activist. Shirley was a wonderful comrade to our small Solidarity group in the Scottish Parliament, I will always remember her lovely calm influence and will be forever grateful for her support at a very difficult time. A great comrade and activist Shirley's contribution to the left over many years was significant but always done in her own quiet, unassuming manner she will be greatly missed.

 

Kenny Carson - As someone who used to work in the Scottish Prison Service I know how barbaric, destructive and de-humanising the organisation can be. Shirley Gibb recognised that poverty, lack of education, opportunity and support had meant for many of those convicted that society had failed them and now they were being punished again.

Shirley befriended prisoners and by doing so she provided much needed support. Unable to physically free those she met, Shirley was there for them. Caring and listening through her humanity and compassion she was at least able to offer some hope, understanding and emotional release.

Shirley stood for fairness, equality, social justice and peace. She also passionately believed in Scottish Independence. Whether marching against the war in Iraq, organising to expose the hypocrites at the Gleneagles G8 summit, building for public meetings, doing street stalls, leafleting, campaigning for and standing in elections, Shirley would always be there.

Whenever others and myself spent time with Shirley at branch meetings, socially or driving through to Glasgow for a conference etc, there would always be plenty of reasoned discussion but never a heated argument. Shirley recognised that through discussion we are required to listen to others, extract ideas and not simply just push our own agenda and in doing so Shirley was never so stubborn that she could not change her opinion about tactics or strategy. One thing is for sure though; she would never change her principles.

On one occasion I remember having a meeting of the Democratic Green Socialist online magazine (The Point’s predecessor) at Shirley’s house. Not only was she taking part in the meeting but was also playing host. One could have been forgiven for thinking we’d just arrived at a banquet. I don’t remember much about what had been discussed that day, just the feast and in particular the strawberries. I also remember two bottles of red wine Shirley gave me, as I wouldn’t accept payment for a picture I’d framed for her. My intention was to give the wine to my wife Kelly as up until that day I believed red wine didn’t agree with me. Kelly insisted that I at least have a wee taste, which I did. In fact I drank most of the two bottles as it was delicious and with no hangover the following morning. I don’t know how much that wine must have cost but I do know that Shirley certainly had taste and that previously I must have been buying vinegar.

A few weeks ago I was listening to Radio Scotland. The programme was ‘Call Kaye’ a radio phone-in and the topic was dealing with cancer. The programme had only about ten minutes remaining when I’d tuned in. Instantly I recognised the voice of one of the contributors, it was Shirley. I will never forget how well she spoke that day and with such dignity. Speaking about her illness, which she had been fighting for many years, Shirley stated that instead of fearing what the future may hold she was instead thankful for every day in life she lived and had always adopted the attitude of living life to the full. 

Shirley Gibb was a socialist and for those of us who are, we know that we will have many battles ahead. We know that at times we are going to have to be courageous and brave. Shirley had these qualities in abundance, and that, combined with the dignified way in which she led her life is how I will always remember her.

 

Willie Duncan - I was very saddened to learn of Shirley's passing. I have known Shirley for a number of years and I always found her to be warm and friendly with an infectious enthusiasm for politics. My abiding memory of Shirley is one of someone who often loved to share a joke. She will be very sadly missed by all of those who knew her.

 

Anne Edmonds - I met Shirley when we both helped out in the SSP office and, later, in Rosemary and Tommy's Holyrood office. Her first cancer operation coincided with the split in the left in August 2006 and the launch of Solidarity; she was very disappointed to be out of touch at such a critical time so I wrote to her in hospital to keep her up to date with events; unfortunately I had to do this on two more occasions as she had two further operations, the last in late 2012 from which she never really recovered; she became too weak to leave her house and the last time we met was on 1 February. We kept in touch by phone and email and the very last email I sent, describing the Edinburgh May Day march and the campaign against the bedroom tax, was read to Shirley by her daughter who told me her interest in politics continued despite her being very weak.

Shirley's attitude to her very serious illness was remarkable - a down to earth and cheerful acceptance of everything, including radio and chemo-therapy ,with less fuss than most of us make over the common cold; it was typical of Shirley that she took part in a radio phone-in on cancer treatment in Scotland less than four weeks before she died.

Shirley was an instinctive socialist but came from an SNP background and was a member before joining the SSP - she once described to me the relief she felt at her first SSP meeting to find her views shared by everyone present and not just half of them.

Shirley was witty, articulate, full of energetic curiosity, whose every response sprang from her deep understanding and sympathy for both the people she knew and those whose lives she had only heard about - unsurprisingly she kept in touch with a number of prisoners. She was also in regular contact with many on the left whose views kept them outside of Solidarity. Shirley was one of the finest human beings I have ever known; her death will leave a great gap in many people's lives.

 

 

Gary Fraser - I first met Shirley Gibb when I joined the Scottish Socialist Party. I could only have been say 20 or 21 when we met, and although I did not know it at the time, she would have been in her late 50s. So quite a gap between us. Yet, she was someone I took an immediate liking too and from very early on I regarded Shirley as a friend. I mention our ages for the simple reason that politics is a great way of bringing people together who otherwise would not have met.

Over the years, Shirley was someone who stayed in my life. There are some people who you want to be on the same side of the debate as, and Shirley was one of them. She was passionate, determined but more importantly pragmatic. She never struck me as an ‘ideological’ or ‘text book’ socialist. I saw this as one of her strengths. Although the term seems somewhat trite, Shirley was someone who thought outside the box. She was a free thinker, a trait which probably led her to socialism, but one which also provided her with objectivity and insight about the left.

My memories of Shirley Gibb are many. Before she became unwell, we used to meet every other month in Café Lucano’s in Edinburgh for coffee. She attended my wedding in 2011 and was one of the first to congratulate me and my wife Anthea on getting married. Her wedding present for us was a gift voucher for an unusual shop which specialised exclusively in African produce. This was very Shirley. Most people give you John Lewis vouchers. But not Shirley. Shirley was different.

Another memory I have is showing her round my new house a couple of years ago when she stopped to comment on a picture of Elvis that I have framed on the wall. She said that she didn’t know that I was an Elvis fan and added that she liked Elvis too. The picture is from 56 and Elvis is singing Hound Dog on one of his first appearances on American TV. I said to Shirley that I liked the picture because for me it represented Elvis at his best, looking every inch the rock and roll rebel. Shirley readily agreed.

Shirley and I seemed to intuitively follow a similar political path to one another. We joined the SSP at the same time and left at the same time to join Solidarity. Then without even discussing it, we left Solidarity in the same week. In one of the last phone calls I had with her, she explained to me that the YES campaign was more important than party politics and that she thought it was advantageous not to be in any party at the moment. I agreed. But longer term, I know that Shirley longed for the day when a united party of the Scottish left would emerge. I used to say to Shirley (in fact I said it my last phone call with her) that I didn’t feel left wing enough to be a member of some of the groups on the left, but at the same I didn’t feel right wing, or compromising enough, to be in one of the mainstream parties. This is a tension I have felt for a long time and I think Shirley felt it too.

In conclusion, Shirley was a good friend. She was a teacher, a socialist, an activist, a writer and a thinker, and so many things more. The old saying that every man (and woman) is worth more than their worst deed is a viewpoint Shirley subscribed too. She had an authentic belief in human kind. Too put it simply, Shirley Gibb was one of the best people I have ever met. A true original. She was the type of person to quote Bob Dylan who ‘gets inside your mind’.

I will really miss her.

 

Jack Fraser - Shirley was a fellow socialist and good person. In her unassuming way she could always get to the hub of any discussion. I always felt uplifted when Shirley spoke. In a tribute to Robert Burns, she once wrote that the she grew up in her parent’s house with his songs and poems. Taken for granted, but always there, Shirley said she found his words ‘comfortable and reassuring’. Whenever I was in Shirley’s company, I had the same feeling of comfort and reassurance.

 

 

Donny Gluckstein - Shirley was a force of nature. Both charming and very determined, she was a tireless campaigner. I had the pleasure of working alongside her in the SSP for many years, and when that project ran into difficulties and our ways parted - myself back into the SWP and herself into Solidarity - one of the biggest personal losses was to no longer be side by side with Shirley, fighting the good fight. She will be sorely missed.

 

Hugh Kerr - I got to know Shirley when she and Anne and I worked for Tommy Sheridan in the Scottish Parliament in 2006-7. Most other MSPs had young interns in their office, we were all pensioners and I named us the ageterns! Shirley was a pleasure to work with, quiet, authoritative and knowledgeable; she was good on the telephone talking to constituents and thorough at research or administration. She was also a delightful companion at lunch and I discovered she had an extensive knowledge of Scottish politics. I was aware that Shirley had battled with cancer but she remained optimistic and cheerful and always had a smile. When I decided to join the SNP I discussed it with Shirley who gave me good advice. Shirley was a good comrade and a lovely person she will be much missed.

 

Graeme McIver - I have often been asked to define what it is that makes a socialist. My answer can vary depending on who asks the question. There are of course some complicated and complex answers requiring the use of economic, political and philosophical arguments. Yet when attending the funeral service of my friend and comrade Shirley Gibb I was acutely aware that the answer to this question can also be very simple. In my view Shirley Gibb was the personification of socialism. Shirley better than anyone represents the principals and values I have tried to fight and campaign for since my political activism began. Both the turnout and the warm tributes paid at her funeral demonstrated that Shirley was a remarkable woman who had inspired and touched many lives.

The socialist movement is full of good talkers but not so many first-rate listeners. Shirley was adept at both. She could forcefully argue her point whilst exuding a calmness and grace that was often at odds with the emotion and tumult that can accompany debates on the left. For Shirley politics was more than an exercise in simply talking or saying all the right things. Although she was present at countless conferences, demonstrations and political meetings it was in Shirley’s day to day life that she practiced what others often only preached. Shirley adopted a child, befriended prisoners, taught young children and in particular those who faced special challenges in their learning. Shirley stood as a socialist candidate and supported others who took on what is very often a thankless role, especially for candidates of left parties. Yet her most important role was that of being a friend, a wife, mother, family member and grandmother and no amount of platitudes and warm words from those who knew Shirley primarily from her activism will be able to fill the void that her passing has left for those who knew her best and loved her the most.

Shirley’s warm and gentle nature could not hide the fact that she was a passionate campaigner against inequality and injustice. The strength and the steel she brought to political campaigns was also evident in her battle against her illness. I never once heard Shirley complain about her health other than to bemoan the fact that it had taken her away from fighting the good fight.

I treasure the discussions we had over the years and valued her advice and friendship. I regret however that those discussions did not focus more on the ordinary things that made Shirley such an extraordinary person. I wished I found out more about her dancing skills, about her writing of a children’s book and about her love of music. Included in the order of service at Shirley’s funeral was the song “Sit Down” by Manchester band, James, a group that I have often been to see and whose music I enjoy. I will think of Shirley when I hear them from now on and remember a wonderfully warm, genuinely lovely, inspirational human being.

 

Morag Robertson - I met Shirley when we were both members of the SSP. Although we were in different branches, we were both very active and served on the Regional Council. I quickly came to respect her as I found her to be a wise person, whose calm and reasoned opinions were always worth listening to.

Like myself, Shirley had come from a mainstream political position until she discovered the SSP. She wasn’t a member of any faction and had no interest in any in-fighting. She was there to work for socialism, and she worked hard for it.

I was deeply honored in 2005 when she asked me if I would be Edinburgh South’s candidate in the General Election. I wasn’t convinced straight away but finally decided that if Shirley felt I was up to it then maybe it wasn’t such a mad idea after all.  I was probably the luckiest candidate in the election to have Shirley as my election agent. She was unfailingly supportive, coming along to all the hustings and then meeting in the pub afterwards to discuss, advise and laugh about everything that was going on. Thanks to Shirley, what could have been a stressful experience turned out to be a joy.

Sadly, all was not going well in the SSP by that point. When everything finally exploded, and everyone around seemed to have lost all reason, it was a comfort to have someone as calm as Shirley around.

In the years since then, many of us have tried to work out how we should best proceed as active socialists. I was always interested to know what Shirley was planning to do as I still considered her opinions to be a good barometer. Unfortunately Shirley became unwell and didn’t get the chance to move on in the way she planned.

Shirley Gibb was a lovely woman and a great comrade.  Her passing was a sad day for all of us who knew her. But how lucky we were that she chose to be part of our movement.

 

Tommy Sheridan – Shirley was one of the warmest, most genuine and compassionate women I have ever met and I considered her commitment to socialism in general and an independent socialist Scotland in particular to be inspirational. When Shirley joined Solidarity it was a ringing endorsement of what we had to do at that time in 2006. Being on the same side as Shirley during that horrible period was a source of reassurance. During my recent incarceration Shirley Gibb was one of the most consistent points of contact with me. She wrote to me weekly and always raised my spirits. She was quite simply a bright lantern of love, hope and human solidarity in an often dark world. She will be sorely missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. RIP comrade

 

John Wight - The word that immediately springs to mind when I think of Shirley is decency. She was first and foremost a thoroughly decent human being. I first got to know her when we were both in the SSP and I spoke at her branch one night. From then on we enjoyed a close political relationship during which I was constantly humbled in her presence at the extent of her kindness, support, and friendship. She was kind to me even when I did not deserve it, and for that I will always be grateful to her.

Shirley was someone who never sought personal glory, advancement, praise, or status in politics. She was more concerned with the important task of fighting for justice, a purpose from which she never wavered as long as I knew her. Non judgmental to the core of her being, her friendly demeanour always struck me as being at odds with the fierce and unshakeable solidarity that burned in her heart with those lose fortunate than herself.

She was always the voice of reason during heated debates and exchanges, always looking to build bridges and always seeking consensus. In this she led without having to be recognised as a leader, revealing in the process an absence of vanity that is rare.

The world was a better place for her being in it, and with her passing I have lost a comrade and friend.

I will never forget her.

 

Kevin Williamson - I enjoyed chatting with Shirley over the years whether it was about culture, politics or families. She had a lovely way about her, a fine sharp mind, but was never dogmatic. She was a good listener too. The radical left has lost someone special but can learn lots from the quiet unassuming way she went about her politics and life. She'll be missed.

 

 

 

Articles by Shirley Gibb in The Point

 

Is there any Hope for The Left in Scotland? here 

There are plenty of campaigns and plenty of left groups fighting them. It seems that identifying a common enemy is one thing but unity of purpose is another. Shirley Gibb asks the question, “Is there hope for the left in Scotland?”

The Olympics: Greed or Glory here

Community Food Initiatives here

Every Little Helps. Shirley Gibb looks at how people in their communities are challenging the big food industry agenda.