Margaret Bridgit Mullan (6 Mar 1931 - 18 Dec 2018)

In loving memory of Margaret Bridgit Mullan who sadly passed away on 18th December 2018 aged 87, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her but she joins her beloved Husband Peter Mullan and her son Peter John Mullan 'Sean'

Margaret was loved by her family and respected by friends and colleagues alike. A beautiful, knowledgeable, wise & hard working lady, always willing to help others in whichever way that she could, a lady who blessed us with her love and kindness, making this world a brighter place.

Margaret was the strength within the family tree, the base and roots from which everything grew. Let’s now reflect with appreciation on her life with us, and pay tribute to her, returning those treasured memories with love and respect.

It was 6th March 1931 in County Tyrone Northern Ireland that Margaret was born to her parents John and Annie Gallagher.

Large families were more common back then with Margaret being one of seven children. Margaret had two brothers, John and Michael and four sisters Alice, Lizzie, Mary, and Isabelle Theresa.

There were good times playing out with family and friends, no doubt all mixed in with a little mischief.

The local School was attended for her education with Margaret certainly a bright and academic girl who enjoyed her education.

Adventures led Margaret to work on her fathers friends farm, it was a wonderful open air place. In her childhood she enjoyed horse riding, driving tractors which Margaret really loved, also feeding those horses and the farm animals, Margaret played the violin with her father in her spare time, she often spoke of these days fondly to her close family.

During the week Margaret also looked after the local Doctors children.

Margaret had met Peter Mullan at an early age. Shortly after this, Peter left Ireland travelling to England in search of work. On returning home a courtship commenced with the couple travelling to the Isle of Man finding work within a local hotel.

Later, The couple returned to Ireland and were married in County Tyrone on 25th April 1956, Margaret then 25yrs of age.

Margarets first son John, was born in Ireland and continued to reside with the family. Margaret then moved to Birmingham with Peter to again find work, after a while they were joyed to welcome their son Sean, Margaret was now affectionately known as Maggie B, she performed the traditional role of housewife or homemaker in the modern term.

It was to be a long-lasting, successful and loving partnership, with Margaret and Peter completely devoted to one another.

Together Margaret and Peter shared all the ups and downs of life. It was not always easy, life never is, yet the challenges they faced strengthened their relationship, with 56 years of happy married life together.

The couple were a genuine partnership in life always together, never apart, whilst working alongside one another to provide everything in which they were able to for their family.

The family moved to Nottingham. First living within the Meadows, and then Carlton where the family continued to grow, together they had a further six children Michael, Pearl, Rita, Elaine, Melanie, and Michelle. Shortly afterwards they finally settled at 110 Portland Road which had remained the family home for some 43 years.

With the family maturing, Maggie returned to work within the retail trade at Tesco in Victoria Centre as a Shop Assistant, having a warm personality this was a role enjoyed by Maggie.

With the passing years Maggie became a much loved NANA to 20 Grandchildren and 35 Great Grandchildren of whom she was equally proud together with their developments and achievements in life.

It was with a growing family that Maggie finished work, now caring for her Grandchildren, the family were absolutely everything to Margaret who was thrilled to have her life enriched by a growing family.

There were so many good times, children’s games, always a constant get together of the family, usually on Fridays, where the kettle was never off and the biscuits were by the many, horse racing upon the tv, always someone in or out of the door and the wonder as to Peters whereabouts whether that be the library or the cheeky trip to the bookies. Naturally Christmas and Birthdays were always special occasions and the St. Patrick’s day celebrations were something that was enjoyed thoroughly and had a special place in the hearts of both Margaret and Peter, an occasion which would be proudly participated in and usually involved Irish shamrock, a bitter lemon and a Guinness or two.

With a large family Maggie provided a wide range of knitted garments including the traditional jumpers, cardigans and hats for the little ones, both for her own children and later the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Now, Maggie had a keen eye for Darts playing for the Falcon pub within the ladies team. The competition came from the other local pubs with home and away matches.

These were social occasions meeting with friends enjoying a drink together with food provided for the teams.

The technique for Maggie was to plat for the Double Top and also Double 19 during the games, the team enjoyed many successes within the pub league, winning many Darts trophies.

Reading passed many hours enjoying the fictional romantic period novels produced by Mills & Boon.

Crosswords were another pastime an enjoyable way to spend her spare time.

Margaret loved nothing more then a good cup of tea, her flowers particularly her array of rose bushes and a good chat with the neighbours. Television brought entertainment in to the home especially the daily Soaps with Coronation Street and Emmerdale, yet Eastenders was never watched.

Maggie and Peter returned to Ireland on a number of occasions visiting County Tyrone to visit Margaret’s family, and Derry City to see Peter’s family.

Further journeys home to Ireland came to pay their respects with the passing of family members.

Margaret faced sadness with Peter passing in January 2012 finding the strength to continue her life with the support of family and friends.

The St Barnabas Catholic Church was visited on occasions usually on sundays but especially for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, an opportunity for Margaret to return to her original Catholic faith.

Margaret always held a smile, always willing to help anyone, yet always forthright, we might say “Straight John Bull” never holding back in expressing her opinion and point of view, she was a true, fiery, Irish lady she was a lady of impeccable taste she took good pride in her appearance and she was always dressed for the occasion, she’d have her red hair, red nails, and the red lipstick to match. A lady of true character.

Throughout life Maggie worked hard, placing her family first and foremost, a having a loving and devoted partnership with Peter, becoming the ever present rock of the family, forthright and strong, loving the laughs, jokes and good times which life brought to her.

Margaret may have left this world yet she will never leave our thoughts or our hearts, a lady who will be held in loving memory by one and all who knew her - She was an absolute Diamond!