Celebrating Silvia Stefanoni’s Life

A memorial gathering for Silvia Stefanoni who died in May last year took place at HelpAge on 26 March to celebrate her life and work. More than 70 ex Save the Children and HelpAge colleagues attended, including Mike Aaronson, along with Silvia’s husband David and their son and daughter. Far more were unable to come and sent messages or thoughts. The main speakers had all worked at Save The Children. Justin Derbyshire, now CEO of HelpAge, Carolyn Miller (who recruited Silvia to Save the Children), Fiona Napier (nee King) who worked in Silvia’s team on Asia, and Richard Blewitt (her boss at HelpAge) spoke of their deep respect and the lasting impression which Silvia has left with them. Several other colleagues from around the world and the different parts of Silvia’s time with Save the Children and HelpAge remembered her dynamism and courage – several saying that they had asked themselves when in tricky or risky situations ‘what would Silvia do?”. Afterwards over wine and nibbles, many colleagues met up for the first time in decades. It was a heart warming event, and as David, Silvia’s husband said – ’the kind of party/gathering Silvia would have wanted”.