A woman found dead on Wimbledon Common has been identified as 61-year-old youth worker and complementary therapist Marianne Zeck.
Ms Zeck was pronounced dead in Camp Road, Wimbledon Common, at 11.30am on Saturday, April 23, after being reported missing to Wandsworth police the day before.
Ms Zeck's body was found on Wimbledon Common on Saturday
Her death is being treated as unexplained, but is not believed to be suspicious.
Ms Zeck’s son, Jason Lau, has paid tribute to his “dear mother”.
He said: “She was a beautiful, loving and extremely giving person, who dedicated most of her life working for charities.
Ms Zeck at the Upcycling Fair in St Mark's Church Hall, Wimbledon, in 2013
“She worked at the Smart Centre for many, many years, which is an education centre for disaffected youth who have expelled from schools.
"She volunteered at St Ethelburga’s, constantly working on inter faith reconciliation, specifically between Christians and Muslims.
“She bought most of her clothes from charity shops even though she could afford much classier products.”
St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace is a non-profit organisation which describes itself as working to “transform conflict and division into new relationships and peaceful communities.”
A statement from the centre, where Ms Zeck had volunteered for seven years, said: "Her life experiences had given her a real desire to transform conflict and to know what it takes to make peace – within ourselves as well as in our relationships.
"She became very dedicated to this difficult and challenging work and gave a great deal during her time here.
"Marianne was an incredibly warm-hearted soul. She was generous and giving to a fault, compassionate and sincere. She cared very deeply about people and also worked hard on herself.
Ms Zeck providing a free hand massage to the then mayor Martin Whelton on Valentine's Day 2009
"Her most memorable contribution was leading a dialogue programme called ‘Conversations for the Soul’ which brought together mixed faith groups and encouraged people to form friendships with others from different backgrounds based on sharing conversations about the meaning of life.
"She cared for this programme with a gentle, motherly love, and with much creativity, sparkle and joy. Some of the small groups that emerged from this work continued to meet and stay friends for many years.
"She also worked continuously on a set of tools she called ‘Embodied Peace’ that helped people to balance their emotions and look after themselves more compassionately. This was a work that grew out of her own life’s journey and something she cared about very much.
"Marianne was well known within St Ethelburga’s networks and held in great affection by all of our team.
"The news of her death was met with tremendous sadness. We send our deepest condolences to her family, particularly to her wonderful sons Marco and Jason, whom she loved so much, and who we are holding in our hearts.
"Marianne will be remembered as a truly unique individual, with a rare quality of compassion and warmth, who was committed to community, friendship and peace."
Ms Zeck at the launch of her charity 'Graffiti Angel' in 2005, which aimed to help teenagers relax through yoga
Ms Zeck was also heavily involved in the Merton community, including offering free hand massages at Merton Civic Centre on Valentine’s Day 2009, running a fabric workshop in the Colliers Wood Arts Festival 2012, reciting poetry at the ‘Lyrics of Solitude’ musical performance in Morden Assembly Hall in December 2012, taking part in the Upcycling Fair at St Mark’s Church, Wimbledon in 2013 and choreographing several dance events with children around the borough.
Would you like to leave a tribute for Marianne Zeck? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8722 6337 or pippa.allen@london.newsquest.co.uk
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