In Loving Memory of

Margaret “Maggie” Ellis

(14 April 1942 – 3 February 2025)

A life shaped by family, kindness and the simple things that mattered most

Margaret Ellis — Maggie to everyone who knew her best — was a devoted wife, loving mum, treasured nan and great-nan whose life was built around family, kindness and looking after the people around her.

Born in Portsmouth on 14 April 1942, Maggie grew up during a time of enormous change. From an early age she developed the practical, determined nature that would stay with her throughout her life.

She began working in a local school and soon discovered how much she enjoyed helping children learn. Maggie went on to spend many years working as a primary school teaching assistant, where she became particularly known for supporting children who found reading difficult. She had patience, warmth and a quiet determination that helped countless young people grow in confidence.

In the early 1960s, Maggie met Peter at a local dance. They married in 1964 and went on to share 55 years together. Their daughter Sarah was born in 1967, followed by their son Daniel in 1970.

In 1978, the family moved to Winchester. It became Maggie’s home for almost five decades and the centre of family life. Her house was rarely quiet for long. There were Sunday lunches, grandchildren running in and out, cups of tea, birthday gatherings and plenty of conversation around the kitchen table.

Maggie believed that most situations could be improved by putting the kettle on.

She was practical, loyal, caring and wonderfully funny, although her family would also readily admit that she could be extremely stubborn when she had made up her mind.

She hated waste, always carried tissues and peppermint sweets in her handbag, and drank tea from the same floral mug for nearly 20 years. She kept spare birthday cards in a kitchen drawer, just in case, and had an impressive ability to recognise actors from old black-and-white films.

Gardening brought Maggie enormous pleasure. She loved sweet peas and springtime, and was happiest pottering in the garden with the radio playing nearby. She also enjoyed baking, old films, family drives through the New Forest and trips to the coast.

Swanage held a particularly special place in her heart. Maggie and Peter visited regularly and, in later years, shared those seaside trips with their grandchildren.

Music was another constant in her life. She loved songs from the 1950s and 60s, particularly Dusty Springfield, and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” became one of the songs her family most strongly associated with her.

After retiring in 2002, Maggie remained active through volunteering at a charity shop and helping with a local community gardening group. Retirement did not mean slowing down so much as finding different ways to stay useful and involved.

Peter died in 2019 after 55 years of marriage. His loss was deeply felt, but Maggie continued to draw strength from her family, who remained at the centre of her world.

She died peacefully on 3 February 2025, aged 82, with her family close by.

Maggie leaves behind a family who will continue to remember her in the small everyday things: a roast dinner, a cup of tea, a packet of mints in a handbag, flowers appearing in spring and the sound of an old favourite song playing on the radio.

Her story lives on in the traditions she created, the people she cared for and the family she loved so deeply.