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Date:  1 November 2007

A celebration of the life of Betty Silver: Jewish Care pays tribute to a much-loved volunteer

There was standing room only at Lady Sarah Cohen House when Jewish Care president Lord Levy paid tribute to Betty Silver, a much-loved volunteer who died in August, aged 86, after 55 years of service. She had touched the lives of hundreds of people at the Friern Barnet nursing home, befriending residents, relatives, volunteers and staff alike, working as a volunteer five days a week.

As people had been away when Betty died and were unable to attend the funeral or prayers, Jewish Care took the unprecedented decision to hold a celebration of her life, organised with the help of her sons, Alan and Laurence Silver, and their families.

It was a trip down memory lane for Lord Levy, who had known Betty since he was ten years old. He spoke of Betty’s early career as a volunteer when she was “deeply involved” with the closing of the Tottenham Home and Hospital and the opening of Lady Sarah Cohen House. He said: “It was a difficult transition, uprooting history, and up popped Betty Silver. She was a tremendous asset – her primary concern was always for the residents, so that they could be cared for in the best possible way and she embraced this task with so much love.”

Jewish Care’s chief executive Simon Morris praised Betty’s “energy and passion” and the audience also heard from Iola Samuels, the first manager of Lady Sarah Cohen House, and from staff members Liz Linder, Pauline Gusack and Janet Ford. Volunteers Sheila Metzger, Angela Selwyn-Barnet, Cyril Marks and Rene Tancer also spoke, and there were readings by residents Hester Lack and Faye Depreli.

Liz Linder, one of Jewish Care’s business managers, first met Betty in 1997 when she joined the charity as an administrator. “I couldn’t believe she was a volunteer – I thought she ran the place,” said Mrs Linder, adding: “Betty was unique, so caring and dedicated, she lived for other people.”

There were also tributes from Betty’s sons, Laurence and Alan, then the formal part of the proceedings came to a close with Hebrew readings including Kaddish by volunteer Dr Stanley Cohen.

Betty’s good work will live on and the annual summer fete which she ran at Lady Sarah Cohen House will now be known as “Betty’s fete.” For information on volunteering opportunities at Jewish Care call 020 8922 2405 or email volunteer@jcare.org.