TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved nanna and post office worker who was known as 'Mrs Ormsgill'.
Margaret Davies, 69, died peacefully at home after battling ovarian cancer.
She was a dearly loved wife of Tom, much-loved mother of Martin and Paul and treasured nanna of Hadley, Evie, Alex and Eleanor.
Mrs Davies was born in Greengate Street in Barrow and attended Risedale School until she was 15, going on to work at Listers and K-Shoes in Askam.
The mum-of-two then worked on a fruit and vegetable stall in Barrow Market and later bought a convenience store in Ormsgill with her husband, where they worked for six years.
Mrs Davies then joined Ormsgill Post Office where she remained for 18 years until her retirement three years ago.
Mrs Davies’ husband-of-45 years, Tom, described his late wife as a ‘wonderful woman’ who ‘lit up a room’.
“She was amazing,” he said.
“She was a loving and caring mum. There are no words to describe her. She truly lit up a room.
“She was so down to earth and just loved people. She was a real animal lover too.
“Margaret loved her dogs. We enjoyed many seaside holidays to Jersey, the Isle of Wight, Rhyl.
“We made some great memories together.”
Three years ago Mrs Davies was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which she fought courageously until the end.
“She was the strongest woman I’d ever met,” Mr Davies said.
“She never complained, she always had a brave face on. She received some great support from ‘Lookin’ Good, Feelin’ Great’, and always remained positive.
“You wouldn’t know there was anything wrong with her, she was so strong.
“And she was so well loved. Everyone knew her around Barrow, she was known as ‘Mrs Ormsgill’.”
Mrs Davies’ son, Paul, who lives in Whitehaven, said his mother instilled morals and principles in her two sons and grandchildren.
“Mam was so hard-working and taught us the morals, principles and work ethic we all have today,” the dad-of-two said.
“We had a fantastic childhood and enjoyed so many coastal holidays
“She was also passionate about nature and the natural world. Her love of nature has been passed down to me and her grandchildren.
“She loved coming up to Whitehaven and seeing her grandchildren. She was a very loving mum and nana. Her family was her world, she truly lived for her grandkids.
“She loved the times we’d all get together.
“When she was diagnosed with cancer, she never moaned or complained, she handled it with dignity and stayed strong right until the end.
“She was very selfless and always wanted to protect us.
“Mam had so much time for others, she was the hub of the community. She was always running around, looking after people. She put everyone before herself.
“She could never be replaced.”
Mrs Davies’ eldest son, Martin, said: “Mam always put everyone else first. She would give her last penny away.
“That’s just the sort of person she was.
“She always went above and beyond for her family. Even if we’d invite her round, she’d end up doing the dinner and wanting to do everything for other people. She loved being the host.
“She was always worrying about others.
“Even when I was kid at school, all my friends wanted to come to my house because they loved mam so much and how she looked after them. We often had a house full back in the day.”
Mrs Davies’ sister Carrie Sawyer said the family will ‘never forget’ their ‘thoughtful’ Margaret.
“She was so caring and thoughtful. Family was a huge part of her life,” she said.
“She loved her boys and four grandchildren. She really was a doting nanna.
“She was always thinking about others. Before she died, she told us not to forget her and we told her, we never will.”
Lynne Makepeace first met Mrs Davies over 25 years ago and the pair remained best friends ever since.
She said: “She was an amazing friend – the best friend anyone could ever ask for.
“She was loving, loyal, kind, caring, just perfect. Everyone adored her.
“Everyone who met her, loved her. You couldn’t meet a nicer person. She was a massive part of my life.
“When we found out she was poorly, we took Margaret away to a lovely little cottage on Roa Island and we all loved it – we had some real giggles there.
“You knew she loved you.”
Former co-worker and best friend Ashley Smith worked with Mrs Davies for 12 years at Ormsgill Post Office where she became the ‘daughter she never had’.
“We spent so much time together at the post office, and she took me under her wing,” Ms Smith said.
“She was like mum number two. She was so well loved in the post office. She was always checking up on customers and friends.
“Even when she was poorly and undergoing chemo, she would always be asking after others.
“She was such a selfless person.”
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