I lack words to convey the magnitude of the pain I am feeling when I heard about Mama Marina’s passing away. She just left a big void….as if I knew her since I was born; but the legacy of faith, commitment and love for the Lord she gave me is far greater than the void of her departure from this world.

The wise and powerful pieces of advice and words of consolation Mama Marina always give to me and my family when she sends me emails have sparked a flame in my heart that will never, never, never be put out.… Read the rest

I first met Marina and her family through Abbey Street Methodist Church in Dublin, Eire. We also attended the same Wesley Methodist College.

Marina visited our home many times and always came up the stairs to say goodnight to me, tuck me in and talk a while. Her words to me stuck with me “Joan, you’re a nice girl, you wouldn’t lead a boy ‘up the garden path’ would you. Marina was only 4 years older than me and I was about 14 at the time.

I think maybe Mum and Dad had mentioned the many boys who took me out!… Read the rest

Dear Stephen and James
You are forever in my thoughts.
With much love
Kitty

Words fail me! I am distraught at the loss of Marina- forever in my heart!
Kitty Hart-Moxon… Read the rest

Posted by Chris Walker – A Remarkable Lady,

This is a very brief thank you to Mrs Smith for giving me a fantastic purpose filled life, rich in meaning, a rare exquisite gift beyond value. Thank you, Mr Smith, Stephen and James, thank you for sharing you wife and mother, with us all.

My mother was a depressive and was helped by Mrs Smith, Methodist’s wife in the Ashbourne circuit. Forty five years later towards the end of Mum’s life, I remember them sat together, Mrs Smith holding Mum’s hand.… Read the rest

Yom Ha Shoah (around 2012)

In the run up to the event, Mrs Smith had written and issued the invitations (despite being ‘retired’ for roughly 7 years already) and acted as the coordinator with the Holocaust Centre for the Survivors and their families.

Every invitation email/letter she had sent, to over 100 people and their families, had been answered by someone saying they could, or couldn’t come. They had shared their latest news, asked for news on Aegis, James, Stephen, the grandchildren, asked for help.… Read the rest

I am writing as a member of the Yom Ha Shoah Manchester Committee who were honoured to have Marina as one of our patrons. Her conviction and commitment always inspired us and she will always be a shining light to us. On a personal note, Marina was a good friend to my parents, my father being one of The Boys and the 45 Aid Society. We are sure her legacy will live on and the Smith Family will continue her work. We will treasure the time we spent with her and remember her calm, sweet smile. “Long Life” to all the family… Read the rest

How do you thank someone who has given you so much? Who has gently, firmly, moulded you into the person you are? Who has shown you right from wrong and given you the values you try (and all too frequently) fall too short of? Words don’t seem enough.

It has been an honour to know you Mrs Smith. You touched so many lives, and your love shone out in everything you did.  I don’t think it has even properly sunk in yet.  I hold the memories I have with you close to my heart. Through my earlier years, reading time at School, your voice ringing out “”TOM!”… … Read the rest

So sad that Marina has passed away. She was the inspiration and heart of Beth Shalom, a place which allowed me to release my demons. She was compassionate, caring, welcoming, a good listener –  she was my friend. It will take me a long time to read through the plethora of lengthy, beautiful tributes above, but they were so moving and told me a lot more about Marina than I already knew. Most interesting was Eddie’s story, talking about his wife, it made me cry. Rest in peace, Marina, who knows, we may meet again.… Read the rest

Dearest Mrs Smith

I can’t quite believe we will never see you again on this earth. But what an amazing legacy. The amount of lives all over the world you have touched over all of these year. The heartbreak you have helped heal and mend with your love, compassion reaching out with Grace.

Thank you for all you have done for the World, for me and my family. I am so blessed and grateful for all of the love and patience over the years and the privilege of learning and being taught by you over the many years, especially during the time I was privileged to work with you and your amazing family all those years ago.… Read the rest

Last time I was with Marina, it was at the CCJ conference, where I was one of the speakers, and had arranged to pop in to spend some time with Marina in the early afternoon. It was my folly to have had lunch at the centre before
I went over to Marina’s for 2.00 pm, as she had laid on a beautiful lunch for me! We had a wonderful conversation, which of course culminated in a tour of her beautifully abundant spring garden.
I will never forget Marina’s care and kindness towards me when my husband Tony passed away in 2006.… Read the rest

What can I say? I am broken-hearted that the person I love most is no longer here. For more than 40 years, she has been a mother to me, teacher, pastor, counsellor, friend; but Mrs Smith has served her Lord God all her life, His timing is always perfect, so it would me wrong of me to wish things to be different. She knew her work on this earth to be completed, and she has gone to her heavenly home. What joy for her to be free from the pain of her many ailments, and united with her Lord whom she has served so faithfully!… Read the rest

Dear Smith Family, so sad to hear the passing of Mrs Smith, you are in my thoughts and prayers. As all the tributes share – once meet , never forgotten and I have many memories of walking over to Bethany for advice, sharing news and rebuke!

A remarkable lady and a fitting site to give thanks for a life well-lived.

Simon Foulds… Read the rest

Marina was a tour de force, indefatigable in her desire to support Holocaust survivors and their families as well as the survivors of the genocide in Rwanda and many, many more.

I came to know her through the annual visits to Beth Shalom by students of the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations (later called the Woolf Institute) and Christian ordinands, training to take up positions of leadership in various churches across the UK and Overseas. She was always welcoming and hospitable and help create, with her amazing sons, an engaging and educational environment. … Read the rest

Dearest Smith Family

When I first found my faith, I looked everywhere for a place of worship whose principles and acts reflected those I recognised to be Holy, Righteous.

One day, a friend said, “I have found an amazing woman – you have to meet her!”

When I met this wonderful Mother, I knew I had found the Truth. Her words and actions worked together – so full of love, so full of strength and vitality, so full of living faith. She was a plumbline – straight and true – I knew I had found the treasure.… Read the rest