Margaret Jackson (Gilkes) 1931-2024

Her daughters, Elizabeth Jackson and Sarah Brown, attended last year’s Alumnae Reunion alongside Margaret. Despite her enduring love of LEH, it was her first visit since leaving 75 years ago. She proudly brought along her old school hymn book, hat badge and school reports to show fellow former students. Margaret also acknowledged that the standard of catering had improved dramatically since her days, which were somewhat restricted by rationing!

The sisters say: “We were very fortunate to have Mum in our lives for so long and we will miss her immensely.” Here they pay tribute to her long and happy life.

Born in 1931 to Elizabeth and George Gilkes, Margaret grew up in Sunnyside Road, Teddington. She was top of her class at elementary school and was offered various county funded grammar school places. Her father suggested that she apply to Lady Eleanor Holles in Hampton because the girls all seemed to be having a good time when he had walked past the school, and he liked the uniform.

Margaret really enjoyed her school days and would often reminisce fondly about her time at LEH. It was there that she met her lifelong friend, Maureen Cane (Lenn) and the two of them would walk part way home together, or in Margaret’s words “roll down the road together with laughter “.

Air raid sirens would interrupt lessons and rationing resulted in "dreadful" school dinners. Margaret was only evacuated very briefly during the war – just for one weekend - and instead they made use of the Andersen shelter her father had installed in their garden and raised chickens so that they had eggs.

She wanted to stay on at the Sixth Form and ultimately teach. However her mother insisted that she go to work, so Margaret joined Lyons where she learnt shorthand and typing and became secretary to John Raymond 'Thomas' Thompson (TRT), the Programme Lead for Lyons Electronic Office, the first ever UK business computer.

Margaret was very happy at Lyons where the team hosted many external visits from interested parties, including Queen Elizabeth II. Her lifelong commitment to fairness and equality was evident even then, as she put forward a case for a pay rise to recognise her contribution to the team and insisted that she too, should be eligible to see the Queen on her visit. 

It was LEH friend Maureen who introduced Margaret to her cousin Roderick, who she subsequently went on to marry. Their wedding service was conducted by Maureen’s father, who was a minister. Maureen and Margaret remained close friends and sometimes holidayed together, but sadly Maureen died late in 2021.

Margaret and Rod went on to have three children – Elizabeth, Michael and Sarah. Grandchildren Kathryn, Matthew, Andres, Ana and Amy were subsequently welcomed as were great grandchildren, Marco, Aubrey, Mason and most recently baby Ottilie. 

Margaret returned to work once the children were grown up, working first as the Medical Centre secretary and librarian at Ashford Hospital and then at a London Health Authority before returning briefly to Lyons. 

Her passions included cooking, catering and hospitality, as well as fundraising for Save the Children. Hobbies included Townswomen’s Guild, researching her family history and regularly doing The Daily Telegraph cryptic crossword.

“Mum was a strong and very capable woman,” say Elizabeth and Sarah. “She could always be relied upon in a crisis, such as the time she delivered a neighbour’s baby before the midwife arrived. Armed with Mrs Beeton’s Household Management book, Mum could tackle most things and was not easily phased. She was scrupulously fair, kind, quick witted and intelligent, with a wonderfully dry and fun sense of humour which we all appreciated. We will miss her immensely.”