Thank you Marion Smith

DEAR Marion,

It was the mid 2000’s I first met you (I met your wonderful mother two years earlier). You walked up and down Herrick Road with a cheery - purpose, however always stopping to greet me. Information was not then known regarding just what a local hero you were.

In 2011, when we both stood for Charnwood Borough Council elections in Southfields Ward I realised just how popular you were- you thrashed me! As fate would have it, 18 months later we were brought back together, and I finally became your co-councillor for three years.

I was in awe of your work rate and lost count of the hundreds of people who, on their doorstep, would praise you. It was clear that you were the Queen of Southfields.

In your ventures after finishing your term as a councillor you made yourself even busier. Marion, how did you do it?! You did SO much for the community, school governor, charity fund-raiser, befriender, honey-maker, campaigner, mother, wife, grandmother, Loughboroughchairperson

Now that you have left us, we are terribly sad, however your legacy lives on in Southfields for years to come. Marion, I will work everyday to preserve the fine work you performed in Southfields.

Marion, in a film, the audience see the character of the hero not through what they think, rather their actions. It is easy for a human to live contentedly with their good thoughts -others only see what they practically do. In everyday life you were the hero, solving problems and rescuing situations.

A mentor of mine, Professor Conor Neill, defines love in the following way; when asking a question, the subject cannot be oneself. You therefore were the Southfields personification of love -always asking ‘what does he /she need?’

Rest in peace with your dear parents, a job brilliantly done.

Love and best wishes, Ted.

Ted Parton Leicestershire County and Charnwood Borough Councillor for Southfields Ward