Pat Bagot

She was born in Bo'ness, the only daughter of Captain Arthur Bagot, MC and Mary Bagot. She died at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh after a short illness.

Pat was educated at Leith Academy, Edinburgh, and, from 1954, at the city's Mary Erskine School for Girls. She obtained an MA in psychology and philosophy from the University of Edinburgh and a diploma in sociological studies from Sheffield University.

She began her career as a childcare officer and then in 1968 joined the Architectural Research Unit of the University of Edinburgh to undertake sociologist housing research.

For five years from 1974, Pat worked for Robert Matthews, Johnston Marshall & Partners as a sociologist and planner, working on developing housing in Tripoli, the Suez Master Plan and planning in Easter Ross.

Her indomitability expressed itself early: she argued with Colonel Gaddafi about the quality of proposed new housing in Tripoli; she was held at gunpoint more than once; and smuggled architectural plans across borders in a Persian rug. But she found her calling when she joined the Scottish Special Housing Association (SSHA) in 1979, one of the biggest social landlords in Europe.

Pat held a number of senior positions and was influential within SSHA and its successor Scottish Homes. She was a key figure in the establishment of HomePoint, the national housing advice and support project; and in the creation of national standards for housing information and advice, which are now in force across Scotland.

In 2001 another change in national housing policy direction saw the replacement of Scottish Homes with the formation of Communities Scotland as a Scottish Executive agency for housing and regeneration. As a senior officer of Communities Scotland, Pat continued to work in a number of policy development posts.

In 2003 Pat transferred to the Scottish Executive, to work on the Supporting People programme. She worked tirelessly to ensure the effective implementation of the programme in a way that reflected Scottish circumstances. Her work and her dedication won her widespread respect and admiration.

Pat was a member of the Scottish Executive's Homelessness Taskforce. She played an important part in shaping the recommendations and then in implementing them - including developing social networks for the homeless.

More recently, Pat returned to the theme of housing advice and support when she set up HouseKey, a web-based directory of housing support services to help people seek out the best service for them.

But Pat's main focus over the past year, and the area where she was most keen to make headway before she retired, was a review of housing for the increasingly large proportion of older people in Scotland. In this, she worked closely with the Communities Minister, latterly Malcolm Chisholm.

Pat was awarded the OBE in 2005 for services to housing. Her knowledge of Scottish housing - the history, stories and anecdotes, as well as the legislation and the programmes - was worn lightly.

She was known throughout the housing world, speaking at many conferences. A caring and supportive colleague, she always had time for others. Her wit was legendary and her sense of humour leavened many difficult moments.

Pat's interest in, and appetite for, work and her determination to move policy on was unflagging, even in the face of a succession of health problems. The focus of Pat's work remained the support of the vulnerable. Housing has lost one of its most charismatic, courageous and determined champions.

Pat also enjoyed a rich social life and was always lively company. She was a fanatical bridge player and a director of Melville Bridge Club. She was a cook, an indefatigable entertainer and a keen traveller. She valued her family and her many friendships, many of which went back to childhood. She loved culture (whether ballet or Big Brother) and sport, in particular cricket, rugby and latterly Formula 1.