Mari Rees, a sad loss

OBV would like to pay tribute to Mari Rees who sadly passed away over the weekend. Aged 51, Mari had fought a courageous battle against cancer. She was a graduate of OBV’s Welsh Assembly Shadowing Scheme and was on the verge of making political history in Wales.  

Originally trained as a journalist, Mari worked for the BBC, ITV and the Western Mail. However, it was social empowerment and community activism which were her real passions. Mari was a tireless equalities champion and in her work at the Valleys Race Equality Council, she ensured that equalities was at the heart of the agenda.  

Empowering her community and making a tangible difference to people’s lives was the driving factor behind Mari’s decision to enter politics.

Mari was carving a promising political career. She stood as the Labour Parliamentary candidate for Preseli and Pembrokeshire in the General Election 2010 and was due to stand in the Welsh Assembly elections in May 2011. If elected, she would have made political history as the first Black and Minority Ethnic woman Assembly Member.    

Mari was a tremendous woman, thoughtful, articulate and above all courageous.  Politicised from the tender of age of 6, having witnessed Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, overthrown in a bloody coup, Mari believed that there had to be a more peaceful means of expressing difference.

Her tenacity and determination to be a vessel for change will be sadly missed by all at OBV and the Welsh political landscape has lost a true political champion.

By Francine Fernandes
OBV Head of Shadowing Schemes

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 12th April at 11.00am at:

St Michaels Catholic Church
St Michaels Rectory
11 St Michael Street
Brecon
Powys
LD3 9AB

Please contact Sian Rees at rees.sian@btinternet.com if you wish to attend. 

Mari requested no flowers, but donations if people wish to. Please send them to  Sandville Self Help Centre and Marie Curie. Donations can be given through  www.justgiving.com/marirees.