Tribute: Margaret Seabrook

Margaret Long was born in Lichfield in 1925, the second of three children, who lived above the family drapers shop in Market Street. She attended the local school and in 1943 went to study Domestic Science & Education at Atholl Crescent College, Edinburgh. In 1943 she attended the VE Day celebrations in Edinburgh, attended by Winston Churchill, the King, Queen and Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth. Many years later she attended her cohort’s 50th reunion and, prior to her death, was still in touch with the last other remaining student from her year group.

In 1946 Margaret visited Oxford to see her brother John, where she first met a fellow student – a politically-minded, WWII veteran called Tony Seabrook. Later they all attended farm camps to help with the harvest; memorably the group of 12 once cycled to see sunrise at Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice. Subsequently four couples in the 12 got married, including Margaret and Tony at Lichfield in December 1948. Margaret’s first job was at Watford Grammar School for Girls and she was later head of department at Tottenham Girls Grammar School. 

In 1954, Tony took over a solicitor’s practice in Aylesbury and they moved to Wendover. In 1959 they moved to New Orchard in Ellesborough Road, which became the family home for the next 35 years. Philip and Jonathan were born in 1954 and 1955, followed by Mary and Alexandra in 1960/62. Margaret’s father also lived with them for 29 years.

Margaret loved cooking and gardening, which was fortunate with a large garden and family to feed, and she also entertained many friends and family. 1n 1967, Margaret resumed her teaching career at Halton Junior School, where her daughters started their education and she taught needlework. She later moved to John Colet, teaching domestic science/ home economics, but later switching to teaching Humanities. After her retirement, she took pleasure in meeting people whom she had taught.

The family were long-standing attendees at St Mary’s Church, also Wendover Cricket Club (where both sons play/played) and the Wendover Society. They volunteered for all three organisations. In 1994 and with the children living elsewhere, Tony and Margaret downsized to a smaller house in Wendover and enjoyed a happy retirement together until Tony’s death in 2008. They loved spending time with their three granddaughters.

After Tony’s death, Margaret spent more time with her brother John, going on European holidays with him and visiting her children in Chingford, Wivenhoe and France, and on visits with family and friends. She took an active part in community life in Wendover, including volunteering for years with Noah’s Ark, a church-run playgroup for young children, where she loved meeting the children and their parents. She was also part of the Church’s flower arranging group, remaining an active member on the rota until her death. During the Covid lockdown, she participated in the Youth Club’s pen pal scheme. 

In 2023, aged 97, she had a knee replacement, which allowed her to regain full mobility without pain, and to resume driving. Margaret was generally lucky with her health and retained amazing energy and enthusiasm for life right until the end. She stayed in her own home, supported by family and friends, continued to enjoy gardening and was still cooking delicious meals for visitors in her last week. She kept up with all the widespread family, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and using WhatsApp to talk to her goddaughter in Australia and other family. She died peacefully at home on 7 September.

Margaret’s family has been touched to read/hear of so many tributes including from former pupils still cooking the recipes she taught them; this would have delighted her. More memories of Margaret’s life can be found at https://margaretseabrook.muchloved.com.

Jonathan Seabrook