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̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ UK (̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-UK) is profoundly saddened by the death of our beloved colleague, Mary Anne Schwalbe, who passed away on 14 September. Mary Anne was a founding director of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-UK when it started in 1997 and remained a trustee and Development Committee member, continuing to make a valued contribution despite the difficulties her ill health presented in recent months. After a career as a prominent educational administrator in the US, Mary Anne immersed herself in the cause of refugees, playing a pivotal role in the effectiveness of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡'s organisations. She was the founding executive director of the Women's Refugee Commission (affiliated to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡) from 1990 to 1994 and remained engaged in its work after that. She was also a tireless volunteer and senior adviser to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ at its New York headquarters. In London, she worked hard to raise the profile of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-UK through fundraising events such as Kiss Me Kate and the Lion King, both of which helped to attract new supporters to our cause. Mary Anne also visited refugee sites worldwide, ensuring that the needs of uprooted people, especially women and children, were being met. There are many - at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-UK, in the global ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ family and beyond - whose lives were touched and enhanced by knowing her. ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-UK's condolences go to her husband Douglas and to her children Douglas, Will and Nina Schwalbe.