No one could be left untouched by Marina’s kindness and thoughtfulness! To have had the deep feeling and empathy to conceive the opening of the Memorial Centre was quite extraordinary. No thanks are enough for what she and your family have done. We will always remember the wonderful hospitality she offered us when I visited[…]

I remember so well when you and your family arrived at Cliff ~College to speak, 1978 I recall. Steven was about 14 yrs old and led worship. I was a student there then. Your family were clearly anointed and I felt that even then. My parents Liz and Bob Grainger came to Bethshalom many times,[…]

Dearest Smith family I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful inspiration to all of us and I am privileged to have known her. You will. never be forgotten

If you never met Marina Smith, I couldn’t begin to describe what a remarkable lady she was. If you did meet her, you wouldn’t need me to. So many would say, “How on earth did Stephen and James create the Holocaust Centre and Aegis Trust?” Then they’d meet Marina and say, “Ah … now it[…]

Our Mother has left us. We cannot believe it. She who was always there is now in eternity. If ever there was a one ready it was she. Not only was she ready she was ALWAYS ready. She lived her life to the full here on earth, yet she always had her eyes on eternity. That is the goal –[…]

Dear Marina The last time we had lunch with you, dear Marina, was on the 21st of April 2022 We did not realise that this would be the last time. Your inspiration and courage how you dealt with your declining health was remarkable. You always had a smile even if you were in pain. You[…]

My wonderful spiritual Mother you helped to change my life and helped me through so many dark years You showed me what real love is and always pointed me to Jesus. You showed me by your life and your love for me. You always prayed for me and for my family and when we moved away[…]

We are so sorry for your loss, Stephen — you and your family are in our thoughts. Sandy & Michael Russell

My dearest Mother and best friend on this earth, the great debt I owe you cannot adequately be expressed. What an amazing life you have lived. Your life-changing, world-changing work has been so unique and precious. It is going to continue. The rivers of life will continue to flow out into this needy world. Meanwhile,[…]

It is with great sadness that I read the email yesterday informing me that dear Marina had passed away. Marina was a very special person, with a very special soul. From the first moment when she hugged me over 20 years ago coming off the coach, when I first visited the Holocaust Centre, I knew[…]

‘Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints’ [Ps. 116:15]. ‘To live is Christ, and to die is gain’ [Phil. 1:21]. I am grateful to God for the work, witness, and memory of Marina Smith. Above all else, she loved Jesus. May she rest in peace, and may she rise[…]

It was a deep sense of sadness that my wife and I learnt from an article in the Jewish Chronicle that your mother Marina had died and I wanted to send you our condolences and to wish you and your family ‘Long Life’ We first met your Marina about 30 years ago when we made our[…]

Dear Smith Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I only met Mrs. Smith once, my late husband, Henry Ross, knew her well & had tremendous admiration for her & for all of you. Before he became ill, he really used to look forward to his visits from Newcastle on Tyne to Beth Shalom[…]

I’ve heard it is hard work being a mother and that even just one or two children are a handful. So how do you be a mother to thousands – but you just were – you were to me and I saw you doing it first hand with a mother’s love, care and intuition for[…]

I was so sad to hear the news of Marina’s passing . She was a wonderful person and indeed the whole family are an extraordinary example of the very best of humanity. I never lose sight of the irony that such wonderful people have dedicated so much of their lives to educating people so as to[…]

Dear Stephen, James and Eddie, I’m so sorry to hear that Mrs Smith has passed away. Whilst I was only at the Holocaust Centre for a few short years, it was such an honour to meet and spend time with Mrs Smith. I will always remember her warmth and kindness, particularly on my last day at the[…]

I was lucky enough to know Marina for many years, first as a visitor to Beth Shalom, then as a Trustee of the Centre and finally as its Chair.  What a truly remarkable woman – short in stature but a giant in the way that she lived her life!  Loved by all, not just by[…]

Very sad news and loss for Marina’s family and friends. We will all honour her memory in remembering her life as an example of great values and action. We should like to send our sincerest condolence to her wonderful family. Ruth and Miriam Shire (Birmingham)

The news of Mrs Smith’s passing filled me with great sadness. Memories of her came flooding back, like it was yesterday that I sat at Bethany and the quiet places of the Holocaust Centre, watching the many milestones of the vision of Tikkum Olam unfolding. I remember all the hand-written notes and letters she wrote. It[…]