Dr Gillian Gear BEM
1943-2015
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Gillian Gear on 29 September. Gillian was the driving force behind Barnet Museum and Local History Society for decades, tirelessly championing the cause of local history and the preservation of Barnet’s heritage. Despite always having numerous projects and jobs on the go she had time for anyone who came into the Museum with an enquiry, and was a source of inspiration and support to the other volunteers at Barnet Museum. She was a published author, a brilliant and compelling speaker with a vast range of local knowledge, Barnet Museum’s archivist, Secretary of Barnet Museum and Local History Society, Secretary of Hertfordshire Association for Local History, with an MA in social and industrial history from Middlesex University and a PhD on industrial schools from London University. She received a BEM (British Empire Medal) in the Queen’s 2014 Birthday Honours in recognition of her work at Barnet Museum and in Hertfordshire. Most of all she was a good friend who will live on in the memory of all who knew her. She is greatly missed.