I miss my mother deeply but remember every day she was driven by her Christian principles, embraced the concept in Judaism of Tikkun Olam (repairing a broken world) and embodied the Rwandan values of Ubumuntu: Humanity and Greatness of Heart. Her belief shone in her life and acts. For the: stranger, you shared your home[…]
27
Jun
Jun
We are not very good at dying, and yet, it is the one thing in our lives that we are all certain to do sometime. It is one of the great acts of living – some die in valor, some in pain, some young, others old – and my mother has been preparing for it every day[…]
26
Jun
Jun
Edward Smith Tribute to Marina Smith Sunday 26th June 2022 It was June 1961. I was sitting in the Methodist Minister’s office after Sunday service. There was a little knock at the door – and there in the doorway was a gorgeous girl. ‘My car won’t start. Can I use your phone?’ Bless that broken-down[…]
10
Sep
Sep
My dear Mrs Smith, Thank you for everything. Words cannot express it – your generosity, your love and care, your deep understanding. You welcomed me into your home, treating me like your own child. You brought me to my faith and through that taught and equipped me for life. And what an example you set[…]
15
Aug
Aug
Just wanted to send my thoughts to the whole Smith family, especially Mr Smith today on what would have been your 58th wedding anniversary. Love Never Fails
Like many others no doubt, I have fond memories of sitting in the cottage next to the National Holocaust Centre, that was home to Marina and Eddie, and enjoying such warm and generous hospitality. There was a strong sense of being at home, it just felt familiar; just as you would be having a cup[…]
My Dear Marina, There are no words or actions that can ever convey my love and gratitude for all that you have given to me and my family. The love and life we experienced together will never fail to inspire, encourage and challenge as we continue in our walk with our Heavenly Father. Stephen, James[…]
Marina with (then) Aegis Board
I loved you all my life and what is earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain. Love you lots and will miss you always. Jill
Marina. Mother, Teacher, Friend. Big sparkly blue eyes so expressive, laughter spontaneous & joyful, kindness so overwhelming. A heart Steadfast & True. Genuine with a deep personal integrity. Compassionate & practical in her caring, Counting the Cost but doing it anyway. Lavish in giving. She was Faithful & she was Full of Faith, & around[…]
I first met Marina in 2006. Between 2006 and around 2018, I was treated to a number of wonderful lunches/teas at Marina and Eddie’s house accompanied by long conversations. Nothing was ever too much trouble, Tara and I loved receiving cards and e-cards celebrating festivals every year as well as the family updates. In February[…]
16
Jul
Jul
Marina had the most magical way of making you feel like you were enormously loved, appreciated and truly one of her dearest friends. From the moment you stepped over the threshold of ‘Bethany Cottage ‘ you felt like you’d arrived home! I’ll never forget arranging a trip up to visit Marina that happened to be[…]
Marina left the most wonderful living legacy in Stephen and James. She left the world a better place and her beliefs about how one should live and have been enshrined in the institution that she helped to create, and in which her memory will live on. She was a Mensch. Our heartfelt condolences to you,[…]
Marina was without doubt the epitome of humanity and compassion. Our family were recipients of her love and innate kindness. Our parents, Joe and Laura Carver, appreciated Marina’s healing words and uplifting advice. They held her in great esteem and we, their three daughters felt the same. Marina generated joy and warmheartedness and seemed instinctively[…]
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[…]
07
Jul
Jul
On behalf of USC Shoah Foundation’s Board of Councilors, I’m writing to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear mother, Marina Smith. Marina was an educator, a storyteller and an archivist of memory. She devoted her life to building understanding and empathy between different communities of people. The stories and memories that[…]
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[…]
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
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[…]
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[…]
Writing a concise tribute, having had the privilege to know Mrs Smith all my life, was always going to be a tall order. I’ve written, deleted, and edited many times; however, had it not been for Mrs Smith, I wouldn’t be writing this tribute. When I entered Woodlands school (Mrs Smiths school), my English was[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
04
Jul
Jul
I met Mrs. Marina Smith at her house in 2016. I was invited by the Chatham House in London to go and give presentation on the future of youth in the horn of Africa. Before I could leave South Sudan for London, I informed Glen whom I met in Kigali Genocide Memorial centre in the[…]
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[…]
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,[…]