Margaret passed away at the Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital on Sunday, November 18, following a brave battle against a rare form of bone cancer. Although surgeons successfully removed the tumour, the operation proved to be too much for her.
Despite the great pain she endured during the last couple of years of her life, she drew her infectious strength and courage from her Christian faith and never gave in. Nor would she complain, always hiding her discomfort with a smile and an “I’m fine”.
She lived in the Algarve from 1983 to 1999 and was probably best known as the ‘M’ in ‘M & S Help Services’, a business which she founded principally to help expatriates through the hurdles of Portuguese bureaucracy. She was later joined by Sally Hill and they worked together from a small office in Loulé.
After committing her life to the Lord, she departed Portugal to join family in England before being led to Uganda to work as a missionary in 2003. There, she led people in worship and was instrumental in raising funds through churches in Preston and Liverpool to provide bibles, mosquito screens, cows and much more for the needy in Uganda.
Some children were also given access to education. She had a great love for Africa and its people and she remained there, apart from annual visits home, until illness brought her back to the UK.
Margaret led a full and active life and touched the lives of all who crossed her path. She had a smile and a solution for everyone. She was very well loved and will be greatly missed, but her light will shine on in our hearts and memories. She leaves behind a daughter in Portugal and a daughter and two grandchildren in England.
Joint services are being arranged in Liverpool and Uganda to celebrate her life.
Sue Goodfellow
