Cressida Petra Gay Davies

Michael was so lucky to have Cressida in his life from such a young age. She was the big, although little, sister he never had. Cressida was always there for him and Rob. What a wonderful friendship they shared. She will be so missed. God Bless. Thank you Cressida from a loving Mum.

I was very sad to hear the passing of Cressida Davies. I remember her well as she attended several courses at West Dean. A lovely lady and the last time I saw her was a few months ago at West Dean. Passing on my sincere condolences to her friends and family

May she Rest in Peace.

Alexi Stuart ( receptionist part time at West Dean College)
Email address [email protected]

Although I have shed many tears that our lovely Creasida is no longer with us physically, when I think of her, I can't help but smile. Her genius for telling a hilarious story, heavily embroidered, I have no doubt, by her wonderful imagination, with a bright and mischievous smile on her face, will stay with me always. When I visited her in St Wilfrid's we laughed a lot as she reminisced about her school days, and described so vividly the extraordinary characters who were her teachers. I left with some very clear and ridiculous mental images!
What a special and wonderful friend you were Cressida, so warm and kind, courageous, generous, creative, and so much more. I will miss you and our exhibition trips, and our long conversations setting the world to rights. Swim on my friend!

Cressida was an amazing lady with a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects. How I loved reading your train stories on Facebook. Cressida your humour, wit and zest for life were incredible. Sleep tightly now free from pain and suffering x

Our sparkling, observant, caring, clever, brave, creative, shining with zest of life, humour and quirkiness Cressida- your Bi-Borough team will never forget you. Thank you for bringing so much light to our lives, Anna

Created by Cressida at West Dean College. I love this piece it says so much about Cressida and her humour

Cressida’s art work, printed and embossed. I can’t remember the title, it was about the marks left by pests ( small burrowing, scratching and scraping creatures) in the West Dean collection.

Photo from the installation of the year 2 Diploma in Art and Contemporary Craft, at West Dean College

Cressida’s art work
‘Fragment of a Song’

To our warm hearted, creative and humorous friend, Cressida. I recently got to know you through our artistic endeavours at West Dean College of Art and Conservation. While I was exploring mud you were exploring holes or in more arty terms negative space. You had a unique way of exploring and interacting in the world that often involved noticing the very very small details, the the tracks left by leaf burrowing beetles for example. You created some amazing art works.

I loved reading your pictorial diary of ‘Covid Lock Down’, these really should be published. I can’t eat a satsuma without counting the segments.

As well as creative endeavours we shared many a cup of tea and your love of cake was evident along with warm heated jovial chats that often lead us on un expected journeys.

This photo is of us recording some art piece, I will have to search for the recording and I have no memory of why we were in this embrace. The photo was taken by Caron and I’m so glad she took it. A moment in time captured!

Along with others I will miss your playfulness and good humour.

Go well lovely friend.
Love Tārālocanā x

Cressida was such a lovely person, her sense of humour was unique and her stories of her train journeys will live with me forever. How sad that we will never hear again what happens with the Bunnies. I will miss her xxx

Dear Cressida Petra Gay (it took me several years to get you to admit to your middle names)

You were my very good friend and commuting companion through the years you worked for Wandsworth. Just about every working day you would battle your way through the platform scrum at Clapham Junction and find us seats together on Southern Rail's (poor) service to Portslade (I preferred you call it West Hove but you refused) and Worthing, where you lived.

Always carriage 7, I remember. Never outmanoeuvred, you would position yourself dangerously close to the platform edge, just where you knew the doors would open, blocking our speedy-boarding rivals, then make a dash for a double seat, thumping down your big bag to reserve the space beside you, as I ineffectually trailed in your wake.

If you were quick to board, it was nothing to the speed with which you dispatched The Guardian Crossword. We had a printed copy each and competed. Rarely did we get as far as East Croydon without you flourishing your propelling pencil in victory.

Then you would turn to your hobbies and books. The photo I have uploaded is of you knitting goodness knows what in carriage 7, but that was just one of your many creative talents.

And you were very funny. Following an overheard conversation between a young couple about who was the first man on the moon, when one of them declared authoritatively it was Lance Armstrong, you whispered in my ear that he must have been on ET's bike!

On high days and holidays we treated ourselves to foil-topped plastic glasses of merlot - two each. I always spilt mine; you never did.

Even though we remained friends and met up sometimes, I missed you after you left Wandsworth. My commute home was a lonely one without you.

And now you are gone, brave Cressida Petra Gay, and I am just one of so many who will miss you, and there must be many for whom the loss must be overwhelming. I shall picture you, my friend, shouldering your bag down carriage 7, crossword in hand, quizzical smile playing across your face, knitting a big green something.

Andrew

I worked with Cressida in Newham she was funny kind and quirky and was an amazing human being .
Loved reading her train stories on FB .. Always cheered up my day.
We also had mutual friends of which Cressida had been to school with and grew up (it’s a small world ) it was a shock to loose such a beautiful soul from this world fly high beautiful girl

Sending my deepest sympathies to all who knew Cressida.

Cressida was an exceptional person , funny , kind, generous of spirit, thoughtful , talented in so many ways - her creativity was amazing . She also had a slightly anarchic quality which was fabulous ! Loved her humour - thinking of everyone who loved her - she will be so missed

I will always remember the lovely Cressida with respect and affection. She was a truly valued teaching colleague.

Cressida was an inspirational teacher and colleague who all of us in the Pupil Support Service in Kensington and Chelsea came to love and admire. Cressida first joined us in the 1990's. Periodically she left to follow other challenges and experiences but luckily we were always able to lure her back to West London by offering her new projects and adventures. These came in a variety of guises including providing training to schools, setting up a new team to support children with Autism in Early Years settings and in later years expanding her knowledge and support into surrounding London Boroughs.

Cressida was an outstanding teacher whose specialism was devising strategies to help children with additional educational needs. Her main role in our service was to support those professionals teaching such children on a day to day basis. Her approach was one of listening, observing and understanding in order to collaboratively create, develop and implement a programme of support in the child's educational setting. Such work requires great skill and tact something she held in abundance.

We will all miss Cressida's strong and positive personality but maybe most of all her humour, warmth and humanity. She helped generations of children and numerous professionals and leaves a lasting educational legacy in West London.
All of us who worked so closely with Cressida over many years will miss her great sense of fun. She was a unique person.

Thanks Cressida for being such a great friend and colleague. You helped and supported so many people. Your legacy will live on.

I got to know you through you twin Auran whom I tough at Lewisham college , we all got together when you came and worked with us at our youth club , that was set up because Auran’s group enjoyed each other’s company they wanted to keep together so my husband and I set Gems Youth club . Cressida you were a gem , working with us for a few years before changing your career . Auran and I have always stayed in touch now over 41 years she has always kept me up to date about you and the family .
Cressida you have been an inspiration to so many people sadly missed with love Jill hunter

Cressida you were such a vibrant, resilient and strong spirit, with such a mischievous sense of humour and sharp wit. What a wonderful fellow student and colleague at West Dean you were and, so very talented.. may you rest in peace. The beautiful memory of you will live on … you will always be with us. Much love , Maxine.