Valerie Silbiger passes away
Very sad news last week with the death of long-time Liberal Democrat activist and close friend to many in the party, Valerie Silbiger.
She played many roles across the party, including in our candidate and appeals processes and on London Region.
She and her husband Clive were also for many years the freepost address for Haringey Liberal Democrats, back when that could mean several hundred returns a week during resident survey season. She gathered, opened and sorted tens of thousands of envelopes over the years – and always had a smile and word of encouragement when I came to pick them up.
Lynne Featherstone, formerly MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, summarises the thoughts of many with her words:
I am so sorry and sad to hear this news. Such a wonderful warm caring engaged human being. So kind to me and supportive from the very start. Love and thoughts to all the family.
I am remember Valerie, from my days in Hendon way back in the early/mid 1970’s when I first joined the party.
She was one of those Liberals who never gave up and always had a smile.
We must never forget the generation of which she was a part who yearned and worked to ensure the party survived and prospered. Our task now is to re-build and renew the party, adopting the same tenacity and commitment that Valerie lived out.
Valerie was a lovely lovely person. Very sincere but also fun. She was a true Liberal who would think through things and come to a considered and very fair decision.
My daughter and I stayed with her in her lovely house in France a few years ago.
A kinder Liberal Democrat, who offered so many others great encouragement, I have never met than Valerie Silbiger. We worked together at a national level for many years and it was always great to catch up with her at party conference. Valerie (and family) you are in my thoughts and prayers.