Ed and David Miliband have expressed their condolences following the passing of their mother, Marion Kozak, at the age of 91. The siblings shared the news of her death, highlighting her as a Holocaust survivor and a dedicated advocate for left-wing causes.
Describing her as a vibrant presence filled with love and vitality, they fondly remembered her as a cherished mother, grandmother, and sister. Reflecting on her remarkable journey, they emphasized her kindness, warmth, and unwavering generosity throughout her extraordinary life.
Marion Kozak, originally named Dobra Jenta Kozak, was born in Poland in 1934. She bravely escaped the horrors of the Czestochowa Ghetto during the Nazi occupation in 1942, fleeing alongside her mother and sister. Through the kindness of strangers, she found refuge with nuns and later with a neighbor of her aunt in Warsaw, ultimately surviving the war.
After settling in the UK post-war, she married Ralph Miliband, a prominent left-wing academic, and dedicated herself to human rights activism, notably supporting the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Her son, Ed Miliband, acknowledged her resilience and spirit in his speeches, drawing a poignant connection between her survival story and his own commitment to fighting injustice and promoting unity among people.
Marion Kozak’s legacy as a beacon of hope and compassion lives on through her family and the values she instilled in them. Her life serves as a testament to the power of resilience, kindness, and the enduring impact of standing up for justice in the face of adversity.
