Lillian Bickley Dedicated Her Life to Social Justice and Community Service

Lillian Bickley, an 88-year-old social worker and lecturer, passed away after a life devoted to social justice and community engagement. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the UK in 1960, where she began her impactful career. Lillian was instrumental in supporting families affected by the 1981 New Cross fire and the Brixton riots, bringing communities together. Her role as one of the first family and school liaison officers in Lambeth demonstrated her commitment to bridging divides. In addition to her social work, she was a lecturer at Goldsmiths College from 1979 to 1984, where she influenced many students through her teachings and organized cultural events. Lillian's activism extended to early Notting Hill carnival initiatives and fundraisers for striking miners. After relocating to Florida with her husband, Edgar, she continued to make a difference, eventually becoming head librarian at the Florida Institute of Technology University Library until her retirement in 2008. Following Edgar's death in 2014, she returned to the UK and lived in Deal, Kent. Her legacy includes her dedication to empowering families and communities, as well as her influence on a generation of social workers and activists committed to social justice.