TRBusiness invited Christine Martin, Former Managing Director of TRT/ISPY to share a touching tribute to her very special friend and colleague, Frankie Gair, Head of Training at TRT/ISPY, who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

 

On Friday 23 July, our dear friend and colleague Frankie Gair, Head of Training at TRT/ISPY for more than 20 years, lost her battle with cancer.

 

Hundreds if not thousands of lives became that little bit duller and sadder with the news of her passing. Our thoughts and condolences go to Martyn, her loving and supportive husband, Allaster, her son and her close and extended family.

 

Frankie saw potential in every single person she trained. When we introduced the opportunity for ISPY award winners to return the following year she went to extraordinary lengths to coach and inspire every one to be the best they could be and represent themselves and the industry with pride and passion.

 

Seeing the job titles of former ISPY participants who have left messages of condolence would have made her very proud.

 

ISPY was a like an extended family, and Frankie was its matriarch. She would give you her undivided attention when needed and provide help as required. She was naturally inclusive long before it became trendy and politically correct.

 

When things didn’t go according to plan, she always had an idea to get back on track and when things went right, she would put her heart and soul into celebrating ours and other’s successes.

 

Her sense of humour was infectious and kept us all motivated.

 

Here is what her ISPY closest colleagues have to say about her.

 

Steve Auston, Head of Logistics TRT/ISPY

“Frankie was an inspirational character with a great personality and sense of humour. I had the pleasure of working with her for many years and I will miss her special friendship.”

 

Helen Cook, Head of Finance TRT/ISPY

“How blessed I am to have had Frankie in my life both as an ISPY work colleague and dear friend. Classroom or ballroom, Frankie lit up the stage with her smile, her quick wit and ability to make learning fun. She was a massive team player, encouraged us all and no one was finished until we were all finished! She was like a big sister to me and I shall miss her dearly.”

 

Markus Stauss, VP Global Marketing Travel Retail, Coty Inc.

“Thanks Frankie for your high valued inspiration for so many. You were an amazing mentor and coach and have influenced countless people. Your kindness as a person and in particular, your sense of humour will be forever in my heart.”

 

Martyn Westbury: Former Travel Retail Manager, Mars

“It is an honour to have been asked to pay tribute to this amazing and unique lady which to begin with is a huge understatement! Importantly the world was very fortunate to have benefitted from her love of life, her sense of fun, compassion, professionalism, and humour. We will all miss her terribly.”

 

I am in no doubt that TRT/ISPY would not have accomplished all that it did without her unique and massive contribution. I will be forever in her debt. She was a frequent user of her local busses and even one of her regular drivers left a lovely message on her facebook condolences page. Such is the measure of the lady.

 

Rest now Frankie, we will never forget you and thank you for the joy you brought into our lives.