Margaret Stableford

17th August 1936- 4th April 2007

OBITUARY by John Stableford as reported in the Harrogate Advertiser, 13^th April 2007

Margaret Stableford

Margaret was someone who was literally always on the move. Moving home moving heaven and earth to get things done and enjoying travelling.

She was born in Consett, County Durham in August 1936. Her mother was a schoolteacher and she could read before going to school. She was moved straight up into Year 2 and disappointedly missed out on playing with the toys.

The family moved to Darlington, where Margaret attended the high school at the same time as Wendy Craig. They moved on again to Appleton Wiske, when she attended Yarm Grammar School and became Head Girl.

Margaret went on to Hull University, where she was the first female student to read Economics and became President of Cleminson Halls of Residence.

On graduating she joined The British Council, looking after students from Commonwealth countries who we're studying here.

In 1964 she married John and they had two sons, Stephen and Paul. During this period they lived in Guisborough for ten years and she became an infants' teacher.

 Margaret then followed John in his career to Hampshire, where she carried on teaching and on a voluntary basis did Adult Literacy work in her spare time.

 When work took John to Hull she carried on teaching and became involved with the university again by becoming a member of the university court. She also joined the Soroptimist club of Hull.

On moving to Harrogate in 1986 she retired; retired no! She became the founding coordinator of Harrogate Victim Support office raising a team of volunteers who helped and supported victims of crime.

 Margaret joined Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District and was President in 1992- 93 and Secretary for five years. She was made an honorary member for the club last year.

She edited the Soroptimist International Yorkshire Regional newsletter for a number of years and also edited the book of 70 Years of Soroptimism in Yorkshire.

She belonged to a Soroptimist International chatline and made friends with like minded ladies around the world.

When she was having chemotherapy some Soroptimist International friends in Canada sent her a knitted hat in case her hair fell out. '

Fortunately, it didn't, but she knitted several hats herself and encouraged many others to do likewise so that help could be given to those less fortunate than herself.

Margaret was involved in setting up the Women's Refuge and its management during its early years. She was also a regular presenter on the Talking Magazine for the Blind and encouraged many to create articles.

On top of all that she found time to assess student teachers while they were doing their practical work in local schools and ran her street scheme for Neighbourhood Watch.

She regularly attended St Peter's Church and edited the parish magazine for nearly five years. Just to fill in the odd moments she organised holidays for John and herself, which took them to all the continents of the world, meeting soroptimists on the way.

She was most enthralled with the icescape of Antarctica and the visit to Scott's Hut.

Margaret's passing on April 4 was the end of a six‑year battle with cancer, which the fought valiantly.

Her life touched so many others and she will be missed by all who came into contact with her.

President of Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Maureen Ingleton said: '.'Margaret was always there with help and support, no matter what the problem or occasion. She was dedicated to our club and its members and we will all miss her cheerful smile and kindness."