Margaret Anne Richardson (3 Jul 1934 - 8 Jan 2024)

Margaret will be sadly missed at our Friday coffee morning.
RIP Margaret from us all xx
I will miss our chats and picking you up. Linda

Hello, as a lot of you already know, I’m granny’s granddaughter. Which is how I used to introduce myself to her friends over the phone! In other words, I’m Lara.

Margaret was the granniest granny you could imagine. She was cuddly, kind and sweet. She always had a cake on the go and She never told us off, unless we knocked over one of her elephants!

I’m so lucky that I don’t remember meeting granny and papa, they’ve always been a constant in my life, something I blissfully took for granted when I was younger. We would go camping with them every Easter, in summer, we would join her and papa on the canal boat, October half term was for Christmas cake making and leaf sweeping, and of course at Christmas time the whole family gathered in Dover. For me, to have so many years of memories with her, I feel so lucky. But, even though I know that the seasons will continue to pass, without granny they won’t be as joyful.

I only knew granny, as a granny, and of course I loved her very much. In her last few months, it was somewhat of a silver lining to witness her and her children revert back to old relationships. Seeing my mummy give her mummy a cuddle on the sofa was a touching scene that seemed to take them both back 50 years. She loved many, and many loved her for her whole life.

However you knew my granny, whether it be family, or friend, from sailing, art club, WI, book club, or something else, I think all we can do, is hold the lovely memories, of which there are lots, close in our hearts.

And look for elephants in the clouds, because she promised she would send some.

Words for Mum:
I just wanted to say a few words for my Mum. I’m Judith, the one in North Wales, for those of you who know me only through her eyes. She loved her WI and crafts and book club, but most of all, she loved catching up, spending time with you, her friends.
Mum inspired me.
Inspired me to do more, to do better, swim faster, climb higher…
to be kinder, listen more carefully, be patient, be myself, find my own way...
One of her (and Dad’s) favourites, that has stayed with me, was that “if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing properly!”
She inspired me to teach, as she had done before me, and her mother before her. As a primary teacher, I am constantly made aware of how influential the early years are and so I turn briefly to hers.
Born in 1934, she was obviously a pre-war baby, and as such, she was made of strong stuff! Growing up during the war, couldn’t have been easy and it strikes me that so many of your generation are so much tougher, so much hardier and more resilient! Mum was certainly no exception. I still remember Dad telling us, “as strong as a horse, your Mother” after an operation, probably 40 years ago now, in which we all crept in quietly to her bedside, expecting her to be lying weak and listless, but no... she was bouncing on her bed, eager to see us and eager to be allowed home!!
She was born to Victorian parents, in an era when a stiff upper lip was the norm and stoicism expected, but again, she has demonstrated this trait on many occasions, not least in recent months.
Long before the concept of recycling was developed, Mum embraced the era of “mend and make do!” I recall very clearly being dressed in knitted, yes knitted, trouser suit and matching jumper, mine was burgundy, Megan’s green and Alan’s navy... even in the 70s, this was not a great look!... Especially, when as the youngest sibling, I was expected to wear burgundy... then green... and then blue!
Clearly, I can’t know very much about Mum’s childhood, but I do know that she had a lovely big brother, of whom she was very fond; she had the loveliest Mother, my Granny O and her father, Arthur, who I never met, but believe was quite strict: the organist in the methodist church and a banker.
She and my Dad chose well! Married very happily for 63 years, they were close in all that they did. Growing up, we had clear boundaries and set routines... if you weren’t well enough to go to school, then clearly you weren’t well enough to swim or go to Brownies, or whatever it was... we none of us missed too much school! You can have 3 sweet things from the plate, no more, so choose wisely! After dinner (more recently now) you can have 2 pieces of Galaxy.... no more, no less!
Holidays were fun, made more so by Mum’s enthusiasm and eagerness to get involved... (in anything) and her creativity in inventing games from nothing. For many years, we drove down to the South of France and to entertain us, one of the games she would play was “Squiggles”... genius... she drew a few random lines on a page, we’d then spend half an hour or so, transforming it into a picture.
Card games were always a firm favourite too, charades at family gatherings and more recently a round of “Bananas” was considered good sport... even in her last few days, when she could barely speak, one or other of us would be sent downstairs to retrieve the ipad so that she could complete her Wordle!
Mum was always a half-full sort of person and inspired me always to see the best in everyone and the best in any situation. So, sad as today is, I hope you are all able to see and feel the positive light she leaves, ever shining.
I wonder, if it had anything to do with growing up in a Methodist household, but I would like to finish with these words from John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism. Please just think of our lovely Mum, your Margaret, Granny, aunt, friend, as I read these. John Wesley said we should all:
Do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
at all the times you can,
to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can.

My lovely Mum…? xx

Rest in peace Margaret.

To say how much I appreciated the chance to get to know Margaret.
(I could not see a Pilgrim's Box on the way out of Church yesterday.)

I have such good memories of many games of racket ball, played with a delightful and special friend.

What a wonderful personality and friend. So ful of life and zest. I will definitely feel her spirit with me from now on. Meg

With happy memories of family gatherings over the years. Rest in peace, Auntie Margaret x

Thank you for being the most wonderful Mum. I have such happy happy memories to cherish. Love you always xxx

Dear Aunty Margaret
Forever in our hearts - Alison, Martin and Richard xxx

Farewell dear Margaret. A friend over so many years. Rest in peace.
Michael 7 Hilary

In loving memory from Rodney and Pat

So very sad to hear of the loss of Margaret ( ‘ Mrs Richardson’ to me for so many years) Sending love to all x

With fond memories of Margaret and family at Broxbourne Road all those years ago xxx

Goodbye Margaret, thank you for being there for Mum

Goodbye Margaret, thank you for being such a good friend to our family

Goodbye Granny - love you always - Alan, Rose, Chelsea and Amy

In loving memory of a very dear cousin.

Chris Gammon

Forever in my heart. xx