Susan McKinstery passed away peacefully on Saturday having worked with Glasgow Disability Alliance
Tributes have been paid to a prominent disability rights campaigner after she died suddenly at the weekend.
Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) confirmed on social media on Monday that policy and participation officer Susan McKinstery had passed away on Saturday.
In a statement, the charity said they were devastated, as voices from across the third sector and beyond paid tribute to Ms McKinstery.
The charity’s CEO, Tressa Burke, said the campaigner was a warrior for disabled people.
GDA wrote on Twitter: “The GDA team were devastated to learn that our beloved colleague Susan McKinstery died suddenly, but peacefully, on Saturday 5th February. Her loving wife Maria was by her side.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news and we know that many GDA members will be too. Susan was a valued and active member of GDA for many years, before joining the team as policy and participation officer for our Future Visions for Social Care Team.
“Susan was talented in the field of social care policy analysis, enriched by her personal experience and insights.
“She had an unshakeable commitment to human rights for disabled people and worked hard as a staff member of GDA and a volunteer of her much loved Flourish House to improve lives of many, many people.
“Susan was a joy to work with and had a fabulous sense of humour. She was a talented writer and a wonderful colleague. We will miss her so much.”
Others shared the news and their own sadness at the loss of Susan, who had joined GDA as a staff member in September following years of involvement with the charity.
Susan had previously worked in a variety of roles in the third sector as a welfare rights advisor, community worker with an LGBT organisation and as an associate for an organisation working with third sector care providers on social care reform.
Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) wrote: “Such awful news - everyone at GCVS sends our love and thoughts to GDA colleagues and to Susan's wife.”
MSPs, including equalities minister Christina McKelvie and Glasgow Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy, were among those to offer condolences to Susan’s friends and colleagues.
The Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland added: “Terrible news about our former colleague Susan. A huge loss for the team, for GDA and most of all for Susan's partner, family and friends. Our condolences to all.”
COPEScotland wrote on Twitter: “Our condolences to all those who knew her and to her wife Maria, there are no clever words to say at such a sad time, sometimes knowing others care can help, even a wee bit, be kind to yourselves.”
