Margaret Evelyn Hillier (Passed away 21 Sep 2016)

Margaret Evelyn Hiller. Born in Edinburgh on 2 May 1944. Passed away at home in Claygate at 6pm on 21 September 2016, aged 72, surrounded by her family. Margaret is survived by her husband, Richard, and their three children, Sarah, Andrew and Martin.

Margaret arrived in Claygate 32 years ago by way of Ghana, Edinburgh and Sutton. She brought with her childhood memories of fruit bats in the attic, wood- and book-eating termites, long cross-continental journeys, and a statue of her father in the jungle 200 miles north of Accra.

Margaret's parents, Evelyn and David Harker, were missionaries and Margaret's childhood was spent between Edinburgh and Ghana, where David had established a school for the blind. Their religious beliefs had a strong influence on Margaret. Although non-committal, she would best be described as a religious non-religious; believing keenly in fairness, kindness and compassion.

After training as a haematologist Margaret worked at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and, much to her mother's pride, was chosen to represent the laboratory in a TV programme discussing their work. Moving to The Royal Marsden in Sutton, Margaret met Richard at a mutual friend's BBQ. Marriage and two children later, they moved together to Claygate, where their third child followed.

On becoming a mother, Margaret gave up formal employment, but remained active volunteering as a teaching support assistant at Hinchley Wood Secondary School, sales assistant at Princess Alice Hospice shop in Esher, and learning British Sign Language.

Almost 8 years ago Margaret was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the effects of which by then had already begun to show. This was followed by a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia. The intervening years saw a slow decline. Until the end, and as her world slowly narrowed, Margaret remained brave, determined, mischievous and kind; taking pleasure in music, family and walks in the sun; and welcoming new faces into the family as her children met their partners - James, Kanako and Kirsty - and becoming a Grandmother in December 2014 to Curtis.

Margaret will be remembered by a service at Kingston Crematorium at 1pm on Thursday 6 October.

We have all been lucky to have had her.

She will be missed.