Margaret Rose Smith (9 Apr 1933 - 10 Dec 2020)

Maggie was a lovely person and we have known each other for a long time, we worked together at BhS and she loved coming to our monthly meetings for coffee and cake. all of us at the Retired Staff Association will really miss her dearly

Some of my earliest memories involve being at Nan and Grandad's house.

It was always exciting, interesting and joyful spending time with you as we grew up. From trips to museums and even visiting The Millennium Dome when it first opened. And of course, even though you didn't have wifi or internet for so many years, you amazingly did have a Sega Megadrive that we all so enjoyed playing on as kids. I am pretty sure this was the first time ever playing on a games console... and it was at Nan and Grandad's house! Very cool grandparents indeed.

Food was always a talking point, and I know for a fact my love of creme caramel and cheese on toast definitely started with you. Plus, cakes of course... I think a sweet tooth runs in the family. Unusually, I also have a memory of learning the word "mauve" directly from you, as another type of purple colour when I only knew basic colours at the time. It's interesting what memories stick with us.

You were always welcoming and warm to anyone that entered the house - there was always treats available and you loved to keep us all fed and watered whatever the day or time. That continued over the years as we grew from kids to teens, and adults - we've always enjoyed having tea and cake, whilst listening to your funny and heart warming stories from both the past and the present. I will always associate you and your house with fun, games and laughter. Who can forget the story that you loved to tell of how you adamantly saw stars when you hit your head on a machine at work!

As many other people have rightly said, you were kind, generous and warm - I don't think I ever heard you say a bad word about anyone. You had a mentality to just get on with things and take things as they come - rarely complaining about anything, even over the years as various health ailments became difficult to manage. I am pretty sure my creativity and perseverance comes from you and I'll continue that strength and resilience in my own life.

Like everyone else, I take comfort that you're now at peace and I hope that whatever entity there is in life after death, that you're reunited with Grandad and you're sitting around the TV with as much tea and Madera cake you can eat. Try not to talk each other too much when you tell your stories to anyone that will listen. RIP NAN.

Love from Syd x

In memory of Margaret

Thank you to Sue and Pete Assender for their kind donation in memory of mum which will be forwarded to Blood Cancer UK.

In memory of a dear mum and nan whose outlook on life was always 'a glass half full'. So kind and so caring and always bearing little gifts or freebies collected from magazines. Mum never complained and dealt with everything with a sense of humour or a determination to just carry on. Mum didn't realise how funny she was and often had us chuckling at her stories of growing up. Mum taught me to knit, crochet and sew as a child and I have so many fond memories of using mum's treadle Singer sewing machine making clothes for my dolls. Mum rarely threw anything out and would find a way of repurposing items of clothing, curtains, sheets into something else and also had an impressive button tin! Without realising it mum was upcycling long before it became the thing to do. So many memories to cherish of mum, and of course our dad too, and I take comfort from the fact that they are both at peace and reunited once again.

THE DONATION MADE IN MEMORY OF MARGARET COMES WITH LOVE FROM HER COUSINS. i.e. THE RYAN FAMILY AND HER AUNTIE PAT WHO IS NOW 93 AND LIVES WITH SUSAN AND BRIAN AND IS PROBABLY THE LAST REMAINING RELATIVE OF THE ISRAEL SIDE OF THE FAMILY . AUNTIE PAT IS SISTER TO OUR MUM (MARY AND MARGARET'S MUM HARRIET KNOWN TO US AS AUNT TIZZ).

R.I.P Margaret

On behalf of Ron Smith, Sylvia and John Crutchlow for their kind donation gratefully received in memory of Mum.

The Smith family would like to thank Joy Carter and family for their kind donation of £30 which we will gratefully forward on to Blood Cancer UK in memory of Mum.

Dear Mum, you will always be remembered with love and never forgotten. Rest in peace. Lots of Love, Debbie and John xxx

Rest in peace nan. You will always be in our thoughts. Lots of love from Hannah and Jason xXx

We will miss you not being around but have many treasured memories to keep forever.
Rest in Peace, Mum
Love Colin and Kay xx