Marianne van der Poorten z'l

Marianne van der Poorten z'l devoted almost seventy years of her life to WIZO, inspiring and mentoring countless WIZO members. A strong, dignified woman who worked with the Dutch resistance during WWII before emigrating to Australia, her love of life was legendary.

Marianne was Vice President of WIZO Yonah, Group President for 40 years and held the Chair of Wills & Bequests on the WIZO State Council of NSW. She was a member of the Federal Executive, and was also invited to be a member of the World WIZO International Council.

Marianne dedicated every birthday since the establishment of the State of Israel to raising funds for WIZO – and this was recognised by World WIZO when she attended the Extended General Meeting in Israel at the remarkable age of 98. As recognition of her years of service and dedication, she received a Rebecca Sieff Award and an Honorary Life Membership of the Australian WIZO Federation, before passing away at the age of 103, a passionate WIZO advocate until the very end.