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MISS DAISY GORDON
It was with very great concern and sympathy that all members of the department
watched Miss Gordon's slow and painful illness thoughout the year—powerless to do
more than give what little help they could and to relieve her as far as possible of the
burden of her duties. But this was a faint hope as she insisted on working whenever
she could and frequently when lesser people would have given in, so it is with very great
regret that I have to record her death which occurred at St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping,
on 19th January, 1961.
It is 16 years since Miss Gordon came to Dagenham as a health visitor. For the
next eleven years the sight of her on her bicycle to hundreds of Dagenham's mothers,
young children and old people meant cheerful help, encouragement and advice on all their
problems. During these years that she lived and worked in Dagenham she was actively
associated with the Dockland Settlement and the Civic Players.
In 1955, Miss Gordon went to Harlow to continue her health visiting work, but her
love of Dagenham remained and she returned to us in October 1957 to take over the
position of superintendent health visitor.
For the past three years the whole of the Borough has been her domain, and she
was never happier than when, in her old car, she was out visiting, helping again the
people with their problems. She again gave time and help to the Dockland Settlement,
and her new post involved close connections with all the voluntary agencies, but particularly
the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Invalid Children's
Aid Association and the Dagenham Tuberculosis After Care Association. She had a
keen interest in the care of old people, and especially in the work of the Over Sixties
Clinic at Oxlow Lane.
In spite of progressive ill health her determination and her concern for others
compelled her to continue until only a few days before her death with a courage and a
Scot's gaiety for which all will remember her with gratitude and affection.
Dagenham has lost a valued and familiar figure and the Health Department will
long mourn the loss of the irreplaceable Daisy Gordon.
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