In Loving Memory of Margaret Snelling
St Mary’s Church, Stratford St Mary, Suffolk
12noon
Margaret Rose Snelling (née Cox) 16th April 1939 – 12th February 2021
Margaret was born in Worthing, Sussex, to a mother (Winnie) from Tottenham, and a father (Philip) from County Waterford, Ireland. Her elder sister, Mary, was tragically killed in a road accident. The Second World War saw Margaret’s father serve in the Army. The family grew with her brother John and twins Christine and Gerald joining Margaret, and raised as a loving, principled Catholic family.
Margaret passed her 11 plus exam at 10 years old, and went to a local grammar school, Worthing High School for Girls. Although she had the prospect of going to university to fulfil her dream of teaching, Margaret left school at age 16 to supplement the family income when her father was injured at work. In her teenage years, she opted to join the Church of England.
Margaret joined the staff of Worthing County Council, where she subsequently met Peter on his return from National Service. They were married on 21st February 1959. Peter’s local government career took them to Weston-super-Mare, Rochester, Banstead (Tattenham Corner), and Epping. Margaret’s strong Christian faith led Peter to joining her as active Church-going Anglicans.
At Epping, their three children, David, Lindsay and Jonathan, all went to local grammar schools and then on to universities. Margaret undertook an Open University BA degree course, a mature students’ course at Mile End to qualify as a teacher, and gained a diploma in special needs education. At the time of her retirement, she was the head of a unit for nursery age children with special needs, in Harlow.
In 2002, when Peter’s health was suspect, with the support of their family, they moved to Higham near Colchester. Both Margaret and Peter were active in the local Church of England Benefice and involved in many social groups. Margaret became president of the local WI and sang in the Stratford St Mary choir.
Margaret had a lifelong love of art, theatre and ballet and particularly loved visiting art galleries and exhibitions with her many close friends. She enjoyed travel in her later years, visiting Ireland, Madeira, and several European cities. She particularly loved visiting the USA, until her heart condition made long journeys unfeasible.
In recent years, Margaret’s health became a concern and she had heart surgery in 2018, along with treatment for other issues. She was later diagnosed with cancer of the bile duct. Margaret maintained throughout her life a positive, cheerful outlook, one that was also hospitable, generous, compassionate and caring. She made many firm friends. Margaret was known to speak her mind, but always with regard to the truth and always motivated by good. She will be greatly missed, not only by her family, her husband, children, grandchildren and her siblings, but also by her wide circle of friends.
Click Here to view the Order of Service
If you wish to make a donation in Margaret’s name, please consider this link to donate to
British Heart Foundation:
https://giftofhope.bhf.org.uk/In-Memory/Margaret-Snelling
Cancer Research UK:
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/margaret-snelling
Macmillan Cancer Support:
On 31 July 2021, Margaret’s daughter Lindsay and grandchildren Ellen, Clarice and James will be walking 26 miles through Dedham Vale to raise money for Macmillan, in memory of Margaret and of Lindsay’s husband, Timothy Francis, who died just 3 days after Margaret, on 15 February 2021. Their Just Giving page gives more information about Macmillan and the support they provide for cancer patients, and can be found at the following link: