In Memory of Mrs Margaret Gledhill Elmslie Old Girl and Governor

A special tribute from Barbara Dagger

MARGARET IRENE GLEDHILL - NEE BURTON

Margaret was born in 1932, the only daughter of Mr & Mrs Burton of Burton’s Biscuits and later the cake shop chain.

At age 5 in 1937 Margaret commenced her education at Elmslie Girls’ School just around the corner from her home at Knowsley Avenue.

Elmslie was to become part of her life from then on.

Aged 10 Margaret became great friends with Keith Gledhill who lived close by. When Keith’s sister Norma was a baby Margaret and Keith pushed her round Stanley Park in her pram. The lifelong happiness of Margaret and Keith began.

After leaving Elmslie Margaret attended St Godric’s Secretarial College in London and once qualified, joined the District Bank (now NatWest) as a secretary.

At the age of 24 Margaret married Keith Gledhill at Holy Trinity Church, South Shore. A son Ian was born some years later.

Keith joined his father’s business which was a coppersmiths. Later with his brother Houghton, Keith started Gledhill’s Water Storage which was a great success.

Margaret supported Keith in business, doing the wages and secretarial work for some time. As Keith became more involved in Rotary Margaret joined the Inner Wheel. When Keith became a Governor at Arnold School, Margaret became a Governor of Elmslie. Margaret and Keith had a wonderfully happy marriage.

Margaret was a kind caring Governor and, as Chair of the Bursary Committee, worked hard to enable girls from poorer backgrounds to benefit from being part of the Elmslie family.

Margaret was a loyal Old Girl and loved the school.

Margaret’s funeral service was beautiful. The Elmslie school hymn music was played during which people were invited to reflect on their memories of Margaret. The floral tribute was, of course, in purple and gold.

It was lovely to see Margaret’s best friend from Elmslie days, Doreen Sanderson formerly Kimber there, and also Jacquie Veazey, Christine Atkins, for many years Secretary of the Elmslie Old Girls’ Association, and several more.

It seemed appropriate that the Headmistress at the time Margaret retired as a Governor, Elizabeth Smithies, the Deputy Headmistress Sue Humpage and myself as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors were there today.

My overriding memories of Margaret are of a kind caring person always immaculately dressed and coiffured. She was very kind to me over many years.

Barbara Dagger

2 October 2018