John Marshall RIP

Audrey and John Marshall

Liz Archibald has written this tribute, following the sad news that John Marshall had passed away:

John Marshall, who was for many years the chair of the Hexham and Newcastle Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council, died last week. John had been in poor health for several years, lovingly cared for by his wife Audrey. Over the last month he had become increasingly frail.

John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather but to many of us, along with his wife Audrey, he was the face of Justice and Peace in the diocese.

John, along with Audrey, has been a stalwart of the Justice and Peace Network since the 1970s. Committed to Catholic Social Teaching, John lived his life advocating for the needs of the poor and marginalised. As well as being chair of our local Justice and Peace Council for many years, he also served for a period as chair of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) . He and Audrey ran workshops, liturgy and children's programmes at many of the annual NJPN conferences.

Many of us know him as the inspiration behind the Justice and Peace Refugee Project which, along with Audrey, he helped set up in 2001 and which continues to support refugees and asylum seekers in the Newcastle area. John served as volunteer manager of the project until 2016, when due to ill health he had to retire.

John was a Labour councillor for many years and served a term as Lord Mayor of Newcastle. He won the respect of councillors from all parties for his integrity and commitment. He was very active in the accreditation of Newcastle as a Fairtrade City and never ceased to speak up and work for the needs of the people of Newcastle.

For his friends and colleagues, John has been an inspiration. For those who did not know him personally, we have all benefited from his work for Justice and Peace. I know people will want to pay tribute to him; perhaps the greatest tribute we can pay is to carry on his work, speaking out, serving and campaigning for the marginalised in our society . I know we will remember John, his beloved Audrey and the rest of the family in our prayers.

Rest in Peace John.