Last post for EdInvestor

"Trying to keep it simple" - (EdInvestor's signature)

Some of you may have been puzzled as to Ed's lack of involvement in the forum since the 18 February, after she started a typically strident discussion on the subject of pension charges, a subject dear to her heart.

It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of EdInvestor's recent untimely death.

She was a campaigning stalwart going back decades, and became the personal friend of many involved in financial issues on the internet.

A former Financial Times journalist, Ed was influential in the campaign and lobbying for the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act (before then building societies could and did deny a mortgage to women on the grounds that they might get pregnant). Her London flatmate at the time recalls that there was an endless stream of people through the door and plenty of late night sessions as they sought to apply pressure in the right places. This was landmark legislation which will make all the history books.

Combining her past political experience and capacity to work with the new internet technology, she was heavily involved in the Equitable Life struggle, where she was close to all the most influential and effective participants. Her role, as an exceptionally well informed enabler and communicator, helped the the campaign's momentum in the face of government obstinacy. In my experience she had a wonderful gift for empowering and energising people around her because her financial & political insight was matched by a sense of fun, uncommon empathy and a great capacity for friendship.

Her MSE name relates to her editorship of the now defunct Investors' Association, which campaigned on behalf of the small saver and investor for several years in the Noughties, but she was consistently active on several other financial websites, particularly The Motley Fool where, as FancyFree50, she was much loved for her knowledgeable and candid insights. In the heyday of The Money Bag, where we originally "met", she went under the pseudonym "java" (the name reflecting her international location at the time, not her programming language ).

As you know from our pensions' discussion board, she was passionate about creating a financial services sector which was fair to the consumer - consistent with the long term aims of MSE - which is why she felt at home here.

In addition she was always there to help any individual MSE member with a pension, investment or mortgage problem. She gave generously of her time and expertise, without favour, which greatly contributed to the quality of this forum and also improved the quality of life of many of its members.

Her mission, not unlike Martin Lewis, was to educate the nation in finance so that people could start to think for themselves; in this aim she had the patience of an excellent teacher, the steel of a hardened debater, the journalist's ability to communicate and the financial professional's attention to detail.

It was a privilege to know her personally and I am deeply saddened by her death.

Friends, participants, lurkers and sparring partners will all miss her vibrant presence.

EdInvestor RIP.

Regards, baby_boomer.

Insert by Martin

What awful news; the thoughts and condolences of the MSE team and me go to Ed Investor's family. While I didn't know EdInvestor in the non-virtual world, we've both agreed and cross swords on a number of occasions on here. Every time her posts were informed, educated and aimed at helping. Its only on reading tragic news like this that you realise how much you'll miss someone. Our wishes go with all who knew her and all she helped on here and elsewhere.

We will of course ensure EdInvestor's profile will be closed, but her wisdom will live on in her posts - from which I hope many on these forums, and via Google, will continue to benefit.

Martin


PS Just for the sake of propriety, I haven't verified the sad news of Ed Investor passing away, but have no reason to doubt baby_boomer's kind post above.