Gillian Absolon was born on 30 March 1934 and died on 1 January 2019.

In 1993 Gillian established the Mature Employment Support Agency in Palmerston North when many older workers (over 40) were finding it difficult to find another job. Other projects she was involved in were an inner-city communal garden, and the local regeneration of native wetlands and bush. She was awarded Regional winner of the New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club Environment Award 1993 and the Palmerston North City Council Community Award Voluntary Community Service in 1998.