Ed and David Miliband have expressed their condolences following the passing of their mother at the age of 91. Marion Kozak, a survivor of the Holocaust and a prominent advocate for left-wing causes, was announced to have passed away on Saturday.
In a heartfelt tribute, the siblings described their mother as a beacon of life and love, highlighting her roles as a cherished mother, grandmother, and sister. They reflected on her remarkable journey, from enduring the horrors of the Holocaust in Poland during her childhood to finding safety and happiness in the United Kingdom. Marion Kozak went on to become a dedicated educator, activist, and a staunch proponent of justice. The siblings expressed their deep sorrow at her loss but vowed to uphold her spirit and principles.
Born as Dobra Jenta Kozak in Poland in 1934, Marion escaped the Czestochowa Ghetto in 1942 with her mother and sister during the Nazi occupation. She found refuge with nuns and later under the care of her aunt’s neighbor in Warsaw, surviving the war due to the kindness of strangers, as recounted by her son Ed during the Labour Party conference in 2012.
During an official visit to Poland in 2009 in his capacity as Foreign Secretary, David Miliband honored those who had sheltered his mother, emphasizing that her life was saved by individuals who risked their own safety to protect her from the atrocities of the Nazis.
Marion Kozak eventually settled in the UK post-war, marrying the progressive scholar Ralph Miliband and dedicating herself to human rights advocacy and early involvement in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
In his 2012 conference address, Ed Miliband humorously noted that his mother may not always agree with him but is too kind to say so. He drew a poignant connection between her wartime escape and his own political beliefs, emphasizing the importance of standing up against injustice and uniting as a community to overcome challenges.
The kindness and resilience exhibited by strangers who sheltered Marion during her darkest days left an indelible mark on her family and shaped her son’s unwavering commitment to social justice and solidarity.
