ACTIVIST and intellectual Audrey Brook Jancovich, from Riddlesden, has died, aged 87.

She passed away peacefully in her North London home, where she had always felt a strong connection to West Yorkshire.

She was born Audrey Falkingham in Keighley’s workhouse infirmary because her father was jobless. The textile industry slump in the 1930 hit the Bar Lane community and surrounding streets badly.

Denis Healey, a neighbour, witnessed the poverty and injustice, and became a Labour MP. Audrey went further left. The injustice she saw made her passionate about creating a fairer world.

Passing the scholarship in 1945 meant she attended Keighley Girls Grammar School. There the inspirational Classics mistress, S Beryl Jones, fostered her love of literature and her radical ideals.

In the Cold War, when the nuclear annihilation threatened, Audrey was one of the young people passionately concerned for the planet’s future.

Audrey and her sister Margaret (later Crozier) were part of the cultural politics scene locally, enjoying the progressive films and plays at the Bradford Playhouse in Little Germany.

Always avid for new experiences, Audrey went off to Bristol University to do an English degree in 1953-56. She then taught in south London.

Her life as an internationalist and activist really took off when she began organising for colonial freedom and against apartheid. She was a key London volunteer in the new Movement for Colonial Freedom.

Audrey’s commitment took a French turn when in 1960 when she married Jimmy Jancovich, a sophisticated Jewish Egyptian activist. They lived together in France with his four children.

When Jimmy was arrested for helping Algerian liberation movement fighters they moved to London’s Muswell Hill, where Audrey had three children.

In 1970s the couple split up. Audrey, now 36 and responsible for some of the step-children, had to find ways to make a living; teaching and working as a much-loved school counsellor.

West Yorkshire was always in her mind. She was often on the train up, especially when two of her children moved there from London.

Although primarily keen on world literature, including Arab culture, she loved discussing new northern films and novels, including Bronte adaptations.

Progressive education was her joy and sustenance. So, on retirement in 1993, the University of the Third Age was one of the key places where she, yet again, made a difference and enabled people to better understand our universe.

She taught comparative religion and set up a World Literature group.

Her ashes will be scattered on her beloved Yorkshire Moors.

Tributes can be paid at audreyjancovich.muchloved.com/Lifestories/648806845