Eulogy by Greg & Carol
Although we cannot be with you in person, please know that our hearts are with you as we celebrate the life of our wonderful Aunt, Margaret. Margaret was so much more than an aunt to me, and in recent years she had come to think of Carol as a second daughter. That meant the world to both of us. Every visit with Margaret, either in Australia or at home in the UK, left us with memories we will treasure forever. Margaret always made us feel completely at home. She was generous with her love, fiercely proud of her family, and she never struggled to fill a silence! I have always been more of a listener than a talker, so that suited me perfectly. When Margaret and Carol got together, they would chat for hours. Sometimes it sounded as though they were having two completely different conversations, yet somehow, they both understood every word the other was saying. It was lovely to watch. Margaret also had a wonderful sense of humour. She loved a laugh and wasn’t afraid to tell a joke, sometimes one that was a little riskier than the audience expected! One of our happiest memories is my Army Dining Out at Waterbeach. Margaret travelled down with Mum, Isobel, and had an absolute ball. She was never without a drink in her hand or someone asking her to dance. She spent most of the meal proudly showing everyone photos of young Josh in his cadet uniform. During that visit, Margaret, Mum and Carol spent a weekend in London together and came back looking as though they had all become twenty years younger. The laughter and joy they shared: Margaret’s dance antics with the handsome limbo street dancer, and the hysterics on the busy underground are things we will never forget. There is one story that always makes me smile. Our friends Chris and Lisa Connelly emigrated to Australia, and I jokingly said to them, “If you ever bump into my family in Perth, say hello for me.” Some time later, Chris was repairing a garden wall quite coincidently for Margaret. During their conversation she discovered he had served in the British Army and immediately said to him “You must know my nephew, Greg.” As it happened, he did! What a small world. To me, that story perfectly sums up how proud Margaret was of her family, near and far. To Marion, Michael and all our family and friends in Australia, we send our love from across the world. We hope it brings some comfort to know that Margaret will always be remembered with smiles as well as tears, because she gave us so many reasons for both. It is comforting to think that Margaret is now free from pain. Rest peacefully, Aunty Margaret. Thank you for your love, your laughter, and the wonderful memories you gave us. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. With all our love, Greg and Carol xxx