West Leake

TRIBUTE TO MARGARET

CLARK. Well-known West Leake resident Margaret Mary Clark, who died earlier this year, was church warden at St. Helena’s Church in the village for 34 years and once saved the church roof from being attacked by thieves.

In the United Benefice parish magazine, a tribute celebrates Margaret’s life. She was born in Nottingham, left school at 15 and worked in the local hosiery industry.

She met her future husband David at a dance at the Sherwood Rooms and was married at St. Peter’s Church in Radford when she was 22.

Margaret and David moved to West Leake in 1962, had three children and she played “an important part in village life.” She taught Sunday School at the Parish Church, later becoming churchwarden and worshipping at the church until the very end of her life.

One day in the mid 1980s Margaret was walking her dog Cassie through the churchyard, the dog started barking towards the church roof and Margaret saw several men trying to steal lead from the chancel roof.

Margaret had disturbed them and the thieves soon fled, saving the roof from another attack.

She was always busy with family and activities and became a caring grandmother.

In later life when her husband David became ill Margaret helped to care for him before he passed away in February this year

Margaret was at home for the last two weeks of her life, cared for round the clock by her children and her daughter in law, with the help of the Nottinghamshire Hospice.

She was laid to rest in West Leake churchyard and a service of thanksgiving was later held at St. Helena’s Church.