A CAMPAIGNER who almost single-handedly fought the controversial Edinburgh housing stock transfer has died.
Jenni Marrow, a well-known community stalwart and political activist, died suddenly on Monday after suffering a blood clot to the heart.
Although her health had deteriorated over the years, the 62-year-old's death shocked the community in and arou
nd Muirhouse, where she had worked so passionately.
Her daughter, Charlotte Fletcher, 32, said she would have been overwhelmed by the messages of support she had received in her honour.
She said: "My mum would just have had no idea about the outpouring of love. I don't think she realised how well liked and how well respected she was.
"She had many interests and worked really hard for the community. She particularly loved nature. I have been caring for her quite a bit in the last couple of years. She never shouted about how great she was. She was very modest."
As well as being chairwoman of Muirhouse/Salvesen Community Council, she led a rebellion against the council's plans to transfer the council housing stock into private hands.
Using a small sum of money and a tiny team, she galvanised a community to vote against the council's plans, which many had considered would be a foregone conclusion in what was one of the most surprising outcomes of a referendum in recent history.
The daughter of a Yorkshire miner – which her daughter claims is where she got her activist streak – she moved to London and became a councillor for the Tottenham area. She also served on the Fire Brigade Union, before moving to Edinburgh in 1991.
"One of the first things she did was set up a tenants' organisation, and it made such a difference straight away," her daughter added.
Luke Henderson, 39, a council worker from Fountainbridge, worked closely with Ms Marrow on the housing stock campaign.
He said: "She was central to it and it simply would not have taken place without her. She was a real mainstay – she couldn't have played a larger role."
Local politicians also paid tribute to her commitment to the community.
Inverleith councillor Lesley Hinds said: "She was extremely active in her community and she will be badly missed by the community.
"It is sad to lose someone like that at such a young age. She was involved in every aspect of her community."
Forth councillor Elaine Morris added: "I've only known her a year, but even in that time I realised she always had a valid contribution to make to anything involving the local area. She was a community pillar."
As well as Charlotte, Ms Marrow is survived by two other children, Emma and Paul.
A service will take place at Warriston Crematorium on Wednesday. The family have requested that instead of flowers, donations are made to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The full article contains 482 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
