Margaret Blyth Obituary

• I remember Peggy as a keen and attentive gardener who took a lot of pride in her garden. As a child, I visited her in a number of homes around Auckland and each had a garden which had distinctive features which I remember to this day. At one house in Auckland, which she shared with her sister Ena and brother in law Hector ( who no doubt also shared the gardening duties), I recall that the garden was one of the most beautiful I had ever seen - featuring a formal rose garden at the front which resembled a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and at the back of the house a series of plants which were nurtured in a glasshouse. Now that I'm an adult myself, I'm full of admiration for the care and time that was taken to plan and nurture such beautiful gardens. I used to love playing in them as a child.

• One day, Peggy took me to the nearby school where she taught French to high school students. I probably would have been no older than 6 at the time, but I remember the way that she loved teaching children a new language and her love of the French language. For some reason, I remember her reciting ‘Grand Marnier' with a French accent a fair few times – perhaps that was because it was a tipple she enjoyed in the evening? I also recall her high school students very desperate to find out her real name, asking me repeatedly ‘what is Miss Blyth's first name'? Although young, I was savvy enough to know not to share that secret with them!!

• I also recall Peggy's love of music and in particular the piano. She had a resplendent black piano which once took pride of place in her lounge room, and towards the end of her life she often wrote to tell me about how she enjoyed playing music for others in the retirement village where she lived.

• Peggy also took great pride in her appearance, and had a large collection of pendants, brooches and earrings which she enjoyed wearing, many of which she'd had since she was a young woman herself. Like her younger sister Ena and younger brother Jimmy, she also greatly enjoyed walking and could not only tackle great distances, but at a cracking pace too, even well into her 80s. She was certainly a great role model for others who aspire to stay fit and healthy well into their senior years.

Moragh Blyth

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

COUSINS. - Isabel, Moira, Evelyn,
Ena and Agnes. EDINBURGH

Silent thoughts of times together, hold memories that will last forever.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.