Life story
Remembering Margaret
Margaret grew up in the Adelaide Hills as the eldest of four children. Even then she was the quiet organiser: the one who remembered the library books, packed an extra sandwich and made sure nobody walked home alone. She trained as a primary teacher and spent more than thirty years helping children find confidence in words, numbers and themselves.
She met Thomas at a community dance in 1969. They married three years later and built a lively home around their children, Anna and Michael. Margaret never needed an occasion to set the long table. There was always soup in the freezer, a spare chair on the verandah and enough lemon cake for an unexpected visitor.
Retirement gave her more time for the garden, the local reading group and slow Saturday mornings with her grandchildren. She grew roses from cuttings, labelled seed envelopes in careful handwriting and sent everyone home with rosemary whether they needed it or not.
Her family will remember her steady kindness most: the birthday phone calls made before breakfast, the questions she genuinely waited to hear answered, and the way she made ordinary afternoons feel worth keeping.
Life timeline
Milestones and small moments
Born in Stirling, South Australia.
Moved to Adelaide to train as a primary school teacher.
Began teaching at a small primary school near Norwood.
Married Thomas at Stangate House in Aldgate.
Welcomed Anna, followed by Michael three years later.
Retired from teaching and filled the garden with roses, herbs and citrus.
Became a grandmother and began a new collection of bedtime stories.
Celebrated her 70th birthday around the long garden table.
Remembered with love by family, friends and former students.
Photo gallery
Favourite glimpses
Guestbook
Memories from family and friends
Nan remembered every small thing: exams, favourite biscuits, the name of a friend I had mentioned once. She made ordinary afternoons feel important. I will think of her whenever I smell rosemary on my hands.
GranddaughterMrs Taylor was the teacher who noticed the quiet kids. She gave me books about space because she knew I loved them, then let me tell the class everything I had learned. I never forgot that kindness.
Former studentFor forty years, a visit next door meant tea at the kitchen table and leaving with something from the garden. Margaret was generous in ways that never asked to be noticed. I will miss her laugh over the fence.
Friend and neighbourMum gave us a home where people could turn up exactly as they were. Her recipes were mostly guesses, her advice was always considered, and her hugs lasted until you were ready to let go.
DaughterMargaret welcomed me into the reading group twenty-two years ago. She listened closely, disagreed cheerfully and always brought the best slice. Tuesdays will not be the same without her.
Friend