Ed and David Miliband have expressed their heartfelt condolences following the passing of their mother, Marion Kozak, at the age of 91. Marion, a survivor of the Holocaust and a prominent advocate for left-wing causes, was remembered by her sons as a beacon of life and affection, described as a cherished mother, grandmother, and sister.
Describing her as a remarkable individual, the siblings reflected on Marion’s extraordinary journey from the horrors of the Holocaust in Poland to a life of safety and happiness in the UK. They highlighted her transformation into a dedicated educator, activist, and champion of justice. Despite their deep sorrow at her loss, they pledged to honor her legacy by embodying her values and spirit.
Born as Dobra Jenta Kozak in Poland in 1934, Marion escaped the Czestochowa Ghetto during the Nazi occupation with her mother and sister in 1942. Through the kindness of strangers, including nuns and a family friend in Warsaw, she survived the war against all odds.
David Miliband, during an official visit to Poland in 2009 while serving as Foreign Secretary, paid tribute to those who had safeguarded Marion, acknowledging that her life had been saved by individuals who risked their own safety to protect her from Nazi persecution.
Following the war, Marion settled in the UK, where she married Ralph Miliband, a left-wing scholar, and dedicated herself to advocating for human rights and disarmament. Her son, Ed Miliband, in a poignant speech at a conference in 2012, humorously acknowledged their differing views while drawing inspiration from her resilience and the generosity of strangers that saved her life.
Emphasizing the importance of standing against injustice and uniting as a community, Ed Miliband linked his mother’s wartime experiences to his own political convictions. He underscored the role of compassion and unity in overcoming challenges, echoing his belief that collective action can triumph over adversity.
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