David Brown

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[…]

Tom Prinold

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 –[…]

Hanneke Dye

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[…]

John Bower

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,[…]

Susan Hadden

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[…]

Adrienne Ross

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[…]

Michael Bibring

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[…]

Daisy Allsop

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[…]

Susanna Russell

Dearest Mother Along with countless others, I have known and received your care and love my whole life- nearly 40 years! I consider it the most immense privilege to have known and received your wisdom, guidance and encouragement throughout my life in so many ways and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without[…]

Helen Barker

Dearest Smith Family, Sending you my love as you go through this time of grief. As I write this I’m finding it hard to take in and digest that Mrs Smith has passed away. She has been a constant throughout my life and although not possible it somehow felt that she would be here forever.[…]

Jenny Low

Dearest MMarina, It is an honour and blessing to know you and your family through my life in Pontefract and Grimsby and Brunei. You are a True Ambassador of Love and Peace as what I had written my email to you few days before you are with Our Father in heaven. I will try not[…]

Chantelle Meckenstock

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[…]

Maggie Walker

The most extraordinary, wondrous, loving Mother figure who has ever been.  This says it all, but to relate it to myself personally, as many can, I have experienced these facets over and over again for nearly 42 years.  Whatever was good, right, generous and wise, was shown and imparted to me and my family on[…]

Jane Walker

Dearest Smith Family My heart is truly saddened to be writing this to you, here is my tribute to our dearly loved Mrs Smith: My sister and I lost our father at a very young age and so life began with a feeling of something missing. Soon afterwards the Smith family came into our lives[…]