Stella Lucas Obituary – Stella Lucas MBE, the founder of All Aboard charity, peacefully passed away at the age of 107 in her St John’s Wood residence. In recognition of her services to the Jewish community in London, she was honored with an MBE in 2002. Stella led a remarkable life, serving as the life president of the British Women Friends of the Hebrew University and the Association of United Synagogue Women. Additionally, she held the position of assistant grandmaster in the Women’s Freemasonry movement.
Her daughter, Susan Starr, expressed that Stella was deeply committed to giving back to the community and that this value was instilled in her upbringing. Stella’s philanthropic journey began at the age of 14 when she started fundraising to send children from Whitechapel on seaside holidays. Since then, her charitable endeavors have become the focal point of her long life.
In the 1980s, Stella recognized the significant need for charity in the UK and decided to take action. She founded All Aboard in 1987 and established the first charity shop in Swiss Cottage. Initially, the charity raised funds for Jewish Care, AJEX, and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Today, All Aboard operates 21 shops in London and Manchester, supporting both Jewish and non-Jewish charities across the UK. Even in her 100th year, Stella remained actively involved in leading the charity, attending board meetings until 2017. The charity expressed its gratitude on its website, acknowledging Stella’s exceptional voluntary service and the impact she made on All Aboard Charity Shops and other worthy causes.
Stella’s 107th birthday in July was made even more special when she received a card from the King and Queen consort. She continued to engage in community activities, attending a Freemasons meeting as recently as November. Known as Aunty Stella in St John’s Wood Synagogue, she spent the last five decades of her life in a nearby flat, faithfully attending shul every Shabbat. Stella peacefully passed away at her home on a Shabbat morning. Her grandson fondly remembered the vitality in her voice, a testament to the remarkable spirit that defined Stella’s life.