When I first arrived in Geneva in 1990 to take up my position as Secretary-General of the International Peace Bureau, Edith was one of the very first people I was taken to see. Her reputation had preceded her: I was somewhat in awe. But that soon dissolved when I realised what a welcoming, kind, and indeed ordinary, person she was, with absolutely no airs and graces. While I benefitted in meetings (esp. in the NGO Committee for Disarmament) from her long experience of the international scene, it was the invitations to her home (those lovely buffet meals and glasses of wine…) that I most appreciated.

During the subsequent decades we were both constantly busy in meetings, organising an endless series of seminars, international conferences, publications, and sometimes demonstrations. There was not a lot of time to delve into her backstory. Reading some biographical articles helped fill in the gaps. The fact that she lived such an extremely long life is testimony to her remarkable perseverance and determination. No doubt those difficult early experiences in Czechoslovakia and Canada had something to do with it.

Her many years in leadership roles with both WILPF and CoNGO — both demanding positions – are testimony to the fact that everyone appreciated her wisdom, political savvy and diplomatic ‘grace under pressure’. She could also see the funny side of things. But she could be quite tough too.

We didn’t agree about communism but that didn’t prevent a good working relationship within the peace and disarmament community and I think mutual respect.

Gradually losing her sight must have been a tremendous challenge, especially for a lifelong activist who read widely and loved to keep in touch with her wide circle of contacts, increasingly through messages on screens.

So long Edith – it’s been (very) good to know you.

Colin Archer