Thank you for letting me know about Marion’s death. It is indeed very sad news.
She was a remarkable person and, as you say, will be sorely missed.
I should like to pass on condolences on behalf of the Library.
With best wishes
James Peters
The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester
Michael Jordan pays tribute to the life of an extraordinary person and radiographer.
It is not given to many people to pack – cram would be a better word – as much into their lives as Marion Frank did in hers.
If you say she was a remarkable woman then you do not do her justice. We are all mixtures of different persons within the shell of one persona: here is the person we would like to be, we want to be, we aspire to be. Then there is the person we actually are. Unfortunately, for most of us these two do not coincide, the spirit may be willing but the flesh is all too weak and our actuality does not meet our aspirations.
As we get older there is a third person, the person we wished we had been, acknowledging perhaps our own weaknesses or failures. And, lastly, after we have died there is the person we are reported as having been, the person remembered as having been. Marion was notable for being probably the closest of us all in combining these four different persons into one.
After she and her sister arrived in this country (from Nazi Germany), they trained as radiographers in Glasgow. When Marion qualified she worked in various hospitals, notably the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
Her professional achievements include president of the Society of Radiographers and her role as superintendent and teacher at the Middlesex Hospital School of Radiography. It is not overstating the case to say that under Marion's headship the Middlesex School became the most prestigious in the land and its influence spread everywhere.
She was awarded the OBE, of which she was inordinately proud. Marion would say “The Queen loves me” because somewhere in the citation there was the a phrase "my beloved subject”, or something similar.
However, Marion will be best remembered professionally for her work with the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technicians. She was devoted to its ideals and aspirations for bringing together radiographers throughout the world. She worked ceaselessly and tirelessly to promote and foster the ISRRT and in particular those countries and people who were in most need. How many of us have been phoned at some time of the day or night, picked up the phone and heard her voice at the other end: “Right, chums, there are three things we have to do”. No preamble, no waste of unnecessary words, just straight to the point. Time was too precious and phone time far too expensive to waste on fripperies.
Marion has been, and will continue to be, honoured, loved and even revered by all who knew her for her humanity and her wish to try in some small way to help those less fortunate than herself. It seems strange and sad that no longer will we receive that telephone call at any time of the day or night and hear that inimical voice on the other end of the line.
And so we have reached the end of the life of one of the most remarkable persons anyone of us have had the honour and pleasure of knowing. It is a cliché to say that our lives are richer for having known her but it is nonetheless true and has to be said. Indeed, for many people their lives are richer for her presence even though they never knew her. Her influence was that great. The journey of her life may have come to its close, but the legend, the immortality of Marion’s work will endure.
The full version of Michael Jordan's obituary will be published in the October 2011 edition of Synergy News.
Dear all,
Its a pity and sad indeed for the untimely death of Marion.
We will miss her dearly.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Stephen Bule
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Marion Frank.
We extend our deepest sympathies to you for your terrible loss.
May her soul rest in peace.
In deepest sympathy,
Best Regards
President
The Japan Association of Radiological Technologists
T. YOGARATNAM
We have not met, but I am compelled with deep emotion to share my humble thoughts
with you and others concerned who were with Marion at the Middlesex Hospital in the
early 70s.Jemiliah was kind enough to share the sad news with me yesterday.
It was in 1971 as a post graduate student that I had the pleasure of meeting Marion and
exposed to various aspects of post graduate studies in Radiotherapy including administration
and management of School of Radiography .Together with Sister Craig,then Principal of the
School Of Radiotherapy they formed a dynamic team in the Middlesex Hospital to provide
postgraduate training to many oversea students particularly from Asia,Australia,and Africa
and the Middle East.
Marion Frank, a walking encyclopedia of Radiography and allied sciences was an embodiment
of knowledge, skills, and love which she shared with one and all without any reservations of
the intellectual status of her students.Her dynamism,enthusiasm,and warmth displayed during
her tenure as the Principal of the School of Radiography is both motivational and inspirational
for me.She had the art and science of handling her peers and students. Always cheerful and
'bubbly' as ever, she left nothing unturned to ensure success and progress for all who sought
her advice and help.At times,her uncanny approaches to problem solving situations won the
admiration of her subordinates and others in the corridors of power.
As an international consultant in the training of Radiography, she has been actively involved with
ISRRT,British Council, and WHO in promoting standards and training of radiographers.It is through her initiatives,perseverance,and total commitment to radiography in taking taking it to the next level from K C Clarke that we are beginning to experience the awareness of multitasking skills
in a multimodality arena of imaging.
Though Marion had attained the pinnacle of excellence in a technical field ,her life story can be
equated with that of a poet,philosopher and a fusion of man,science and spirituality. In the quest
for excellence in all her endeavours,Marion Frank is an icon for peace, love, righteousness,
truth, and non violence.
Jemiliah, thank you again for informing me of the sad news; and Daniel my heartfelt condolences
with prayers that her soul (Marion Frank) will rest in peace.
Regards,
T. YOGARATNAM
( ex student Middlesex Hospital)
I RECEIVED THE INFORMATION THAT OUR COLLEAGUE MARION FRANK PASSED AWAY ON THURSDAY 15th SEPTEMBER. ON BEHALF OF OUR NATIONATIONAL SOCIETY( ANTIMCI) FROM COTE D'IVOIRE AND RAPTIMER (PANAFRICAN SOCIETY OF RADIOGRAPHERS) , I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS THE DREADFULL SORRY OF ALL AFRICAN TECHNICIANS AND OUR SYMPATHY TO MARION'S FAMILY.
REGARDS
BONIFACE YAO
I am so sorry to hear about MARIONs death. she will be greatly missed.
GOD bless her soul.
Regards
Sumbo Oyedele
condolences.
AZIAGBA Dogbévi Robert
TS Radiologie et Imagerie Médicale
Polyclinique Int St Joseph - LOME TOGO
My condolences on your bereavement.
Keene Tiso Makgekgenene
Business Development
Bontleng,Gaborone
Botswana
I was deeply pensive when notified of Marion Frank passing. Dear to our hearts, Marion was not only a radiographer and teacher but also a friend, a maternal figure for the Panhellenic Society of Radiologic Technologists whom she was part of as an honourary member and myself.
Her memory will remain through her effortless work and support in radiography and education throughout the years.
She will be greatly missed.
May she rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to all they loved her
Immortal in her work.
Dimitris Katsifarakis, Greece
I 'd like to express my deeply condolences to Marion Frank's, not so long ago , I heard that she was not so well, it really shocked for passed away. I didn't really know her although.
She was an enthusiastic and energetic person, so pity for the sudden left, I pray for blessing her to rest in peace, also pay my best regards to the family and friends.
Sincerely,
Robert Shen
Regional Co-ordinator for Public Relations
Asia and Australasia,ISRRT
It is the passing of an era. In many ways she was the heart and soul of the ISRRT for its first twenty years or so, working hard to realise the dream of Kitty Clark. Although Marion was not outwardly a religious person, she was a friend to everyone and practiced the main tenants of all religions in her generosity, values, friendship, respect, and commitment to the good of all, regardless of stature, wealth, race or creed. She will be sorely missed by the radiological profession but also by all with whom she came in contact. An outstanding example to us all.
Please add my condolences to her family, who were always so very close to her heart.
Terry West, Canada
You have certainly captured "Marion" in your comments, Terry, and there is no question about the "passing of an era". She was known throughout the world by most radiographers and also by so many others. She really did touch many, many lives and influenced so many people. It will not be the same without her. She leaves a void that will be hard, if not impossible, to fill.
Shirley Hundvig, Canada
It is indeed a sad day for the ISRRT community for Marion was a wonderful role model for all of us and contributed so very much to our profession. I did have the pleasure and honour of meeting her on one occasion.
Please extend my condolences.
Mary Jon Lachance, Canada
We express our heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives and Friends. Let us pray together for her soul!
Society of Radiological Technologists-Sri lanka
My sincere condolence. Marion was my teacher, mentor and friend.
She was a great lady who sacrifice all for international radiography.
I remember giving a business class ticket to fly from London to Singapore and a suite at Westin Stamford hotel for the 10th ISRRT World Congress. She took the airfare to sponsor 3 radiographers from Africa and accommodate 6 participants in the suite. She stayed at a budget hotel nearby The Westin.
Marion Rest in Peace. You have fought the great fight.
Tyrone Goh, Singapore
She touched so many of us with her generosity and love of the profession. Although I did meet her several times ,my most memorable "Marion moment" was as a student taking my Viva at Queens Park. I had the luck to have Marion as my examiner,. Since she passed me, I felt somehow I must be OK as a radigrapher. Her legacy will live on .
Condolences to her many firends and family,
Cynthia Cowling, Australia
We are very saddened to hear of her passing. Please extend to her family our heartfelt sympathy and deepest regret. May GOD grant them peace, comfort and strength during this time of sorrow.
GOD BLESS!!!
Timothy Dean
President
Society of Radiographers Trinidad and Tobago
I am so sorry to learn of Marion's passing and although I never met her after hearing about her from so many ISRRT members especially in regards to her assistance, kindness and generosity, I do feel as though I knew her. She was an incredible medical radiation technologist role model for so many.
I am just so glad that the ISRRT Board of Management bestowed upon her the Dien Van Dijk Award on her at the 2010 World Congress.
Warm Regards From,
Rita Eyer, Canada; Patricia Johnson, Barbados
Marion was an inspiration to many souls such as me and it was a privilege to have known her and stayed in her flat in London which many a radiographer from all around the world was always most welcome.
Stewart Whitley, UK
I m very sad , Marion was like a grand mother for me , I had my first trip to africa with her in tanzania in 1994 for the fisrt ISRRT workshop
without her and her support I wont be ISRRT vice president now
as I said in brisbane when I have received the dien van dijk award , it was thanks to marion
but I m hearing marion voice and she says to me , dont be sad and carry on your job to help radiographers all over the world
warm regards to all of you
Philippe Gerson, France
This is very sad news indeed. I am sure that Ms. Frank is now in very good and loving hands. I have heard some wonderful stories about her leadership, kindness, generosity and passion for our profession. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. I only wish that I would have had the opportunity to meet her. I am so glad that we recently honored her from the organization that she cared so passionately about.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Michael D. Ward, Ph.D., RTR, FASRT
President, ISRRT
For me Marion was "the Great Dame of Radiography". I had the pleasure of getting to meet and work with her, for the ISRRT project of collecting data for History of Radiographers.
She was full of energy and very generous, her appartment was open for all the Radiographers.
My sincere condolences to her family and her many friends.
Best regards
Niru Kolmannskog, Norway
"Words do an injustice in explaining how much we will miss
Marion. She will remain very alive in our memories and admiration."
With great sadness, the Pan-Hellenic Society of Radiological Technologists of Greece, bids Marion Frank, a honorary member of the Society, farewell.
Marion will be sadly missed by all in the Society, she was always happy to advise and support us, when required.
Marion will not only be missed by our Society but by all that where involved with her. We are sure she leaves an empty gap with the ISRRT and many other International Radiography Societies.
Sincerely
Tassiopoulos Irene
General Secretary of Pan-Hellenic Society of Radiological Technologists
Council Member of ISRRT
