Margaret Hodder: former A&T receptionist ran two New Forest post offices

FORMER A&T receptionist Margaret Hodder, who had run two post offices before joining the paper, has died aged 92.

The daughter of Frank and Bessie Rowe, and youngest sister of Rosalie, Gilbert, and Isabel, she enjoyed an idyllic childhood on Ravensbeck Farm on the Beaulieu Estate at East End.

After school, and training in Taunton, Margaret worked at Lymington Post Office until she married Bob Hodder in 1948.

They first lived at Sway and then moved to East End until they bought their first home in Ashley when daughter Anne was one. Her sister Sallie was born three years later.

Margaret ran the post office in Ashley Stores for many years, before joining the A&T in the early 1960s working on the front desk and proof-reading. She remained a popular member of staff until she finally retired in 2002 at the age of 76.

She was very involved with St Peter’s Church at Ashley for many years and as well as being deputy churchwarden she ran the Sunday school and organised outings and fundraising.

Bob had died in 1992 so after leaving the paper Margaret moved to live with daughter Anne in Marshfield near Cardiff.

She quickly settled into the busy village life, joining the church and WI, regularly attending the theatre and enjoying holidays and outings. She also enjoyed visits from former colleagues.

In 2016, declining health saw her move to Bryn Ivor nursing home, where she loved joining in all the activities – becoming ‘No. 8’ in the keep fit mornings, the music conductor, and known as the Scrabble champion.

She was very proud of her family: Anne, Sallie and her husband Les; grandchildren Paul, James and Robert, and their wives Rachel, Katherine and Catherine; and especially great grand-children Oliver, William and Thomas, Sophie and Holly.

Anne said: “Throughout her life, and to all she came in contact with, Margaret was a very special lady, caring, gentle, thoughtful and fun – she will be so very much missed.”

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday, 27th November, at St Mary's Church, Marshfield, at 1.15pm, followed by cremation. All are welcome. Her ashes will later be scattered in the New Forest.

Donations in Margaret’s memory will go to Cancer Research (UK).