Posted on: 9 January 2023

We’re sad to report the death of Jasmine, a Governor of CNWL.

Jasmine Hodge Lake​Cllr Ketan Sheth, our Lead Governor writes:

Jasmine Hodge-Lake, a Brent resident, was the epitome of public service.

Although Jasmine was a lawyer and an artist, public service was her passion, particularly championing equality, diversity, and inclusion in all she did. And as a Black woman living with disabilities, she brought a unique and important perspective to her trailblazing career.

She was a strong believer in co-design and co-production of public services as the key to addressing inequalities faced particularly by the minority communities. She also worked tirelessly for better outcomes which she believed were not only good for our own well-being and happiness, but also contribute to the happiness of others around us too.

As an example, when the Dalai Lama visited London in September 2015, His Holiness invited Jasmine to join him at an event to mark the World Peace Day at London’s Lyceum Theatre. The theme for the event was: Exploring What Matters. The Dalai Lama, at the packed theatre, explained that it was ever more important to bring people together to think about their lives and to help them make their lives happier.

Jasmine, to illustrate the Dalai Lama’s story, told her own story, to a packed auditorium, that following an accident, she had been left injured and in pain, and had become depressed. She found hope when she attended a talk at “Action for Happiness”, where the Dalai Lama is a patron. The talk helped bring back hope into her life; and in turn, she was able to help others. She said: 

“I learned how helping others you can help yourself and I could be the change I wanted to see.”

In the recent years, Jasmine became a governor of CNWL, where we worked closely together, and it was a delight — she was very generous in her support of me as the Lead Governor.

It’s because of people like Jasmine that the story of helping and supporting each other is, ultimately, one of hope — an upward journey.

We will sorely miss you, Jasmine.