Lady Violet Aitken

17 June 1926 – 18 February 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lady Violet Aitken on 18 February, 2021.

She was born on 17 June 1926, the daughter of Sir Humphrey and Lady de Trafford; marrying Sir Max Aitken on 1 January 1951.

Lady Aitken joined the Board of the Beaverbrook Foundation in 1965 and was the driving force behind many of the Foundation’s key projects, as well as supporting many smaller local charities. 

She was a Trustee of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s site at Capel le Ferne, and her on-going commitment has ensured the Foundation’s support of the veterans attending the Annual Memorial Day in Kent over many decades.

Lady Aitken also served on the Board of the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation.  Her links with New Brunswick were cemented when she proudly succeeded her husband Sir Max Aitken as Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick in 1982.  She served for 10 years, and the university conferred the honorary status chancellor emerita on her retirement.

Lady Aitken had a zest for life.  She travelled widely and was successful in powerboat racing, and had a keen enthusiasm for horse racing.  But most important to her was her family, and she is mourned by her children Lord Beaverbrook and the Hon Laura Levi and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.