Well I've putting off writing this for months because it still feels so fresh and writing it feels so hard, but on December 30th Margaret collapsed at home from a massive brain bleed. Dugald, Kate, Rob, Andrew and Hamish were all in Wanaka (near the bottom of the South Island) to celebrate Kate's 60th birthday. So when they got the call from the lovely Jane who helps out Margaret and Hugh at home Dugald immediately called me so I could go be with Margaret while Jane stayed home with Hugh. Liz was still in Tablelands so Rob called her and she drove to Palmerston as well. We arrived at the hospital within minutes of each other. The doctors were very clear that Margaret would not recover and they took out her intubation soon after we arrived. We spent the night with her in the ER and the nurses took really good care of her, and of us. About 5am she was moved to a room upstairs so I went with her and Liz went to 238 to check in on Hugh and Jane. The boys and Kate had been scrambling to get on flights to get to Palmerston but it is not an easy thing to do from Wanaka. After 3 flights Dugald and Rob finally arrived midday having grabbed the last seats on an early flight out of Queenstown. Margaret was still alive and I truly believe she was doing her best to hang on until everyone arrived. They both got some time with her but about 45 minutes after they arrived she took her last breath - in the same hospital and 60 years to the day after she had given birth to Kate.
I think all these months later we are all still dealing with the shock of it all. After Margaret died Hugh lost the will to live as well. His health steadily declined and he too died at home, surrounded by family, on the night of Margaret's funeral. He had family by his side the entire week - except for the hour of Margaret's actual funeral when Jane sat with him - and had to know how very much he was loved and respected.
We had a lovely funeral for Margaret with a reception at 238 - Meggie spoke as a representative for the grandchildren and we were so honoured and proud of her. Margaret was such a lovely person, the world feels a lot emptier without her in it. Many extended family who had come for the funeral also had a chance to say goodbye to Hugh before he died that night. Because it was the middle of summer and many people were away and/or had made a great effort to get back for Margaret's funeral the family decided that having a funeral for Hugh immediately would be too much. Instead they had a private family service, then a larger memorial service a few weeks later. Again it was a lovely ceremony and Margaret and Hugh were clearly loved and respected in the community.
It would have made both Margaret and Hugh so proud to see their children support each other so beautifully through it all. The grandchildren were amazing as well - and there are so many of them! It is quite a beautiful legacy. Here are some photos from the week and some photos of 238 Victoria Ave as well, saying goodbye to it after 55 years was no easy thing to do. Also I had made a video to show in the living room for the reception after Margaret's funeral which is full of family memories so I've linked to it here as well.
Not the New Year's Eve they'd planned.
Margaret's sewing room. She would be appalled that I put this here but to us it represents all the love she put into the quilts she made us over the years.
Looking at photo books.
Making funeral plans.
In Margaret's Bible - Meggie read this out as part of her speech.
The little girls helped put out chairs for after Margaret's funeral.
And the big girls cleaned.
Takeaways the night before the funeral.
Katie and the ever-faithful comfort cat Meg.
Girls on dishes - I never get sick of this!
Margaret's birthday list above her desk - so many grandchildren!
The girls went into Grandpa's room to visit and Daddy showed them some old pictures and explained who everyone was.
We gave poppy seeds to everyone at the funeral - Ellie helped bag and label them.
And of course there was cricket.
And cards.
Josie helping Daddy with his hair before leaving the motel.
Beautiful girls!
Meg fell asleep on Josie's feet!
Mike helping Hugh tidy up.
Sweet Kate putting the finishing touches on the flowers from the garden for Margaret's casket.
Liz made sure we had enough catering.
Kate greeting the nurse who had come to help with Hugh and found Margaret the night she collapsed.
Hamish thanking everyone for coming and telling them about the poppy seeds.
Cousins table.
In height order and only missing Sam, Ben and Wills. L-R Ellie, Josie, Hettie, Katie, Emily, Alex, Bella, Meggie, Maddie, Ottilie, Vita, Elliott, Hugh, Tom and Hamish.
Hugh's Memorial
Abi practicing before the service.
Meg is still around. . .
Meggie doing card tricks
And Josie
Wills made it back for Grandpa's funeral and spoke on behalf of the grandchildren. He did an excellent job.
Tired girls.
The Katies.
Five minutes later - everyone is exhausted.
Andrew and Meg.
And five minutes later.
Dugald showing his card trick.
I took Ellie with me to get bubble wrap to help pack up the house and it barely fit in the car with her!
