TRIBUTE TO ELLEN LUBY: Such a formidable force

Published: 29 July, 2010

• ON behalf of my family I wanted to thank you greatly for your beautiful article published on the July 15.

My grandmother will indeed be remembered by many of her fellow comrades as the “Conscience of Camden”.

We understand that she was a formidable force who was not to be reckoned with, but fortunately we, her family, were rarely on the end of her sharp tongue.

We were however very aware of her ability to make grown men “stand up”, listen and occasionally, quake in their boots.

On a couple of occasions I nervously accompanied my grandmother as she marched down to the New Journal to find out why her letters had not been printed, afraid her voice was being covered up.

The Freedom to publicly speak about various social injustices was very important to my grandmother.

Her voice was her tool for change, her weapon.

Nanny was extremely active even through her illness, she refused to let it get her down or stop her from continuing with her usual activities.

At home my grandma was calm and relaxed when immersed in her great passions which were music and film.

She also had a penchant for somewhat interesting headware.

Once she was on a story-telling roll you couldn’t get a word in edge ways, you simply sat listening to her fascinating, detailed stories of her childhood, the blitz and her great love, Oxford.

Since Nanny Luby’s passing we have read such lovely tributes written by her comrades and friends and we would also like to thank them for all their support and kind words.

I quickly want to thank the Hampstead Marie Curie Hospice for being so gentle and so amazingly kind to Nanny and our family over the time she was at the hospice.

The staff were beyond accommodating and we are indebted to them for caring for their patients so dotingly.
SELIN TAYLOR AND FAMILY