A champion for the rights of children, special needs education and marginalised communities in Hong Kong has died.

Longtime social service volunteer and philanthropist Anne Marden was 96. Born in Shanghai in 1926, she came to Hong Kong as a young bride in 1947.

Regarded as a pioneer of modern social services in the city, she helped set up a number of charitable organisations that are now an integral part of the city’s social service landscape.

In the 1960s she was the director of the Hong Kong Red Cross and in 1962 presided over the first school for children with disabilities.

Married to taipan John Marden of the trading conglomerate Wheelock Marden and Co, she used her position of privilege and influence to advocate for perhaps less popular causes.

These included marching for the rights of female sex workers, and assisting with asylum seekers and refugees.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “I had known Mrs Marden for over 20 years since my days as the Director of Social Welfare and admired her passion and dedication to improving the welfare of people, especially those with disabilities and from disadvantaged background.

“It is no exaggeration to say that Mrs Marden's contributions reflected the development of social welfare in Hong Kong for the past several decades.”

Marden was also a keen advocate for children’s right to play. Kathy Wong, the executive director for the Playright Children’s Play Association paid tribute to Marden describing how she helped found the first playground in Hong Kong that was truly accessible to children with special needs.

Anne Marden also worked to provide weekly trips for the children of Vietnamese boatpeople who had arrived in ramshackle boats in the 1970s and 80s, and worked with the International Social Service to provide education in the camps here.

The honorary president of ISS-HK, CP Ho, worked with Marden for two decades.

He said: “Her’s was a rare kind soul that reached out to children and the underprivileged, particularly in Hong Kong."