Vale Margaret Anne Wood

The Charlton community is mourning the passing of much-loved community member Margaret Wood. Margaret passed away peacefully on October 5, 2020, following a short illness. 

Her funeral service at St. Martin’s church was officiated by Reverend Judi Bird, and due to the COVID restrictions, attendance was restricted to twenty people. This, however, did not diminish the heartfelt tributes and acknowledgement of the lifetime commitment Margaret gave to her family and loved Charlton community.

Margaret came to Charlton in her early teens with her guardian aunt and uncle when her Uncle Jack was appointed Postmaster. She attended Charlton Higher Elementary School, and upon leaving, commenced her first job as a dental nurse for local dentist Vic Knight. She also enjoyed filling in as a relief telephonist at the Charlton Telephone Exchange.

In the late 1940s, a few years after arriving in Charlton, Margaret met handsome local farmer Ted Wood at the Methodist Youth Club. This meeting led to a lifelong devoted partnership.

Ted and Margaret married in April, 1953, and soon followed with the birth of Gary in 1955 and Helen in 1958. Margaret embraced her role as farmer’s wife and mother and began her lifetime community service journey. 

She was a member of the inaugural committee established to raise funds for a kindergarten, mother’s club member, staunch supporter of the Scouts, Guides, swimming, and netball clubs. She played the organ on Sundays at St Martins church for over 60 years and, like many Charlton women, cooked up a storm for any fundraiser or community event.

Lean times on the farm called for some creativity, which began with Margaret raising turkeys, enlisting the kids to collect and bag kindling to sell for $10 per bag. She also worked at the Roadhouse cooking for ten years, followed by an enjoyable stint in Heather’s Choice gift shop.

Margaret enthusiastically supported Ted throughout their married life in all his endeavours, including golf, Rotary, Shire Council, as well as during his years as Shire President. One of her great loves was her involvement with the annual Rotary Art Show.

Margaret also in her own right was an active member of the Red Cross, Probus, The Royal Institute for the Blind, and for many years was church parish secretary.

Margaret was not one to seek the limelight, rather she worked quietly behind the scenes with a quiet word, a delivery of a plate of food, or other support to community members in need.

She quietly went down to Rotary Park weekly to clean the barbecue, so it was always ready for visitors to town. She helped with the cleaning at the Rex Theatre and was always on hand with decorations, tablecloths, vases, and flowers for any event.  

In acknowledgment of her commitment to her community, Margaret was awarded a Centenary medal in 2003 and Citizen of the Year in 2011.

A fitting tribute to someone who gave so much.

Vale Margaret. You will be sadly missed.