OAP killed near airport was ‘fearless, loving and passionate’

Gillian Audrey Kean, 70, one of the founding members of charitable trust Hazelwood in Devon, died on August 21, after suffering multiple injuries in the incident.

She was making her way to Ibis Hotel just after midnight and was due to fly to Bulgaria the next day to investigate an alternative cancer treatment.

Anabel Farnell-Watson, one of her partners at Hazelwood, said: “It’s indescribable and we are all reeling. We are determined to keep her work up as best we can. Her legacy to us is a vast network all over the world.”

With Anabel and third partner Jane Bowman, Gillian spent 25 years working at Hazelwood, where they welcomed survivors of torture, children from Chernobyl and refugees from Bosnia, Armenia and Chechyna and celebrated art and music, all the while running as a small hotel.

In her earlier years, Gillian was an antique dealer, and traded in Mayfair Emporium.

She travelled the world, lived with a passion, and was so fearless that at one time she was known fondly by international forces as Le Capitaine.

Anabel said: “People have been sending messages from all over the world. Her passion and her compassion were incredible.”

Anabel visited Airport Way in Luton where Gillian was hit.

She said: “It’s incredibly dangerous. I hope something is going to be done about that place.

“I gather it’s not the first death there. It’s so fast and when people are dazed, coming off aeroplanes late at night it’s terrible. Something needs to be done.

“I feel concerned about the driver of the taxi. I want him to know we realise he must be suffering too.”

On September 13 Hazelwood will host a memorial and celebration of Gillian’s life.

Anabel said: “Gillian was an Eastender who became a citizen of the world.

“A multi-faceted iconoclast, she recognised no boundaries, often questioning conventional thought and behaviour. A life well lived.”