Margaret Mary Fernandes

My dearest Margaret, you were my friend and I will miss you. You and Tony took me into your hearts and home. The years I have been blessed to know you and have you, I will always be so thankful for. There are so many memories I have with Tony and you and with you Margaret. You were one of a kind and our friendship, was that too. So many things we’ve done and shared and some of the best times were when we would just wait for Tony to make tea at 4pm and share biscuits. I have no idea how we were as close as we were but truly grateful to God for that. So many memories I have of you and Tony. You both had a marriage most people only dream of and you both made it look so easy but your hearts were like that. Open to everyone (like you opened your home) and forever feeding and always bringing happiness to everyone who you met. You loved your faith, your Antu and your boys and family. Margaret thank you for so much. You were my haven when I needed it. Roshan remembers how there were always chocolate biscuits, coco pops and Ribena at Auntie Margaret’s and how fun you always were. He still remembers times we’d come to St Anthonys with you on Sundays and he’d sing his heart out (and he definitely didn’t have the best voice) you’d laugh with me whilst he kept up, encouraging him. He’s still not over when you came to stay with me and we’d be out all day having fun whilst he was at school. He expected to be able to ‘roam’ all day with us and now I’ll cherish my memories of you even more. Through the years, I watched you cook and though I never liked Sorpatel (which is one of your favourites) learned to make some of your recipes and my favourites to this day include chilli fry, chicken cutlets, those chicken and prawn rolls that you would cook hundreds of for any family occasion, banana fritters, the lamb roast with the potatoes, your pillau rice and at Christmas, your christmas cake and nankhatai’s, again you made for so many people. I’ll miss you my friend. There were so many photos I have of you and us, but this one is one of my favourites. It was just after you lost Tony and you wanted to see the poppies at the Tower of London. You came alone on the train to meet me as I was working and we walked around after, then ended up getting fish and chips to eat. We sat on a bench and talked about Tony, watching the sun go down. I will remember you smiling like you did that day. You have truly left a mark on my heart Margaret. My prayers go out to Greg, Conrad, Lester and Brian and thier families. Your mum and dad, nanny and mother in law were so kind to love me the way they did. Thank you all for sharing them with me. Rest in peace my dear dear friend Margaret. Will love you always Jay🙏🏽💔❤️

Dear Greg, Conrad,Lester,Brian and families your mother was a wonderful person , i will always remember her smile and generous spirit. RIP

May her soul rest in peace condolences to the family

Dearest Fernandes Family, I know there are no words that can ease your pain right now....and words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the loss of your dearest mum. I'm thinking of you, praying for you, and grieving with you. Sending love & hugs to you all during this sad and difficult time...RIP dearest Margaret 🙏

Dearest Greg, Conrad, Lester, Brian and the whole Fernandes family

Thinking of you all today as you say your final goodbyes. Your mum was truly a wonderful lady. And she has left behind her spirit in each one of you all. Keep doing her proud as she’ll be that star that shines bright on the darkest of nights, constantly watching over you. Reunited with her hero again❤️🙏🏽

Dear Conrad, Carol, Nathan, Aidan & the Fernandes family. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of you lovely mum Margaret 🙏🏽 reunited with your dad may they both rest peacefully
Richard & Lisa xx

Dear Conrad, Carolyn, Nathan and Aidan,
Please accept our deepest condolences, keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
May the soul of Margaret rest in peace and rise in glory.
Love,
Pam, Michael, Becky, Jan, Cathy, Pav, Alexander and Annika xxx

Dearest Gregory, Ashley, Alexandra, Isabella, Sabrina, Conrad, Carolyn, Nathan, Aidan, Lester, Theresa, Brian and Kate, my heartfelt sympathies to you all.

Margaret is now in the company of her beloved husband and our dearest relatives and friends.
Your parents were always caring, loving and full of generosity. I’m forever grateful to them for accommodating us when we arrived from Nairobi with young Lynette, Ramona and Gavin. Despite your Mum having newly born baby Brian, and caring for the boys and a house full of many other people living there, your Mum and Dad warmly welcomed us.

Margaret and Antu enjoyed spending several weekends in Potters Bar with Marsh driving us around the countryside. Margaret used to tell us “I love coming to your house and Lynette’s too.” Even these past few years, Blaise would bring her over when Marsh was not well, she sat in the kitchen and chatted whilst I was cooking.

As you all know your Mum was a very good cook, she was fond of Sannas, so I would make some to take to Upton Park gatherings, and she also loved my Applecake saying “I’m not sharing with anyone” as she tucked in.

I have fond memories of travelling abroad with your Mum and Dad - to Nyran’s wedding in Germany, to Mexico City, Acapulco, Merida City and Cancun - it was wonderful times, an absolute delight.

It was a pleasure to invite Mum's siblings Grace, Max and Joyce for lunch when they visited the UK, Mum said she was grateful we did that.

Good Bye Margaret, my dear sister-in-law, I am so glad Monica and Ursula played Cupid and introduced you to our beloved Antu, you had a wonderful marriage and a great family. Now you are with him and are in a better place forevermore. You will not be forgotten and will remain always in my heart ❤️

- Milly

"Gavin, make me a cup of tea" asked Aunty Margaret at Aidan's 21st birthday party in June this year. It was your second cuppa request, so the first one I made must have been a "good-un" as you might have said 😃

Dear Aunty Margaret, Queen of Goan meat patties, we're all going to miss you so much. But now you don't have to miss your Antu as much, because you're with him now.

Thank-you and Uncle Tony for accommodating us as newly arrived family to the UK. Letting me spend a few of my summer holidays in Upton Park with the boys; fond memories of sopatel with toast and tea for breakfast; Christmas Days at Dorset Road and Boxing Days at Edgar and Phil's was the real 'EastEnders!'

You were the Aunt with patience; with empathy, you had time to listen, you made us smile and laugh, you were a Mum to many more - dearly missed.

Dear Gregory, Ashley and Alexandra and Isabella, Sabrina, Conrad and Carolyn, Nathan and Aidan, Lester and Theresa, Brian and Kate - sincere condolences to you all and wishing you all the greatest of strength. 'Let there be love' - 'Mog Asuni'

Gavin x

Dearest Fernandes Family,
Please accept our most sincere and deepest condolences, no words can express the sadness we feel and cannot even begin to imagine how great a loss it must be for you all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and may aunty Margaret's soul rest in eternal peace.
With love from Shane, Andrea, Matthew, Dawn and family and the Crocker family xxx

Dear Conrad, Carol, Nathan, Aidan & the extended Fernandes family. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Margaret 🙏🏽

It is very evident that Margaret was a loving, caring and important part of the family that was cherished by her sons and extended family. The times I met her through the years she was a friendly, classy and softly spoken lady with a welcoming smile. what struck me the most when I first met her was how so much Conrad looked like his mum!

I know Margaret had been unwell for a number of years but she certainly was a fighter and made of strong stock to have battled through. As sad as it is, she is no longer suffering but instead reunited with her beloved husband again. Hold onto this and the wonderful memories you created with her and know that she is at peace until you meet again 🙏🏽

All our prayers & thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Love & God Bless Maria, Jim, Liam, Dylan & Lewis

Dear Gregory, Conrad, Lester and Brian,

Sharing a few fond memories of your Mum Margaret:

Margaret was introduced to The Fernandes Family thru' Monica when she and Margaret became friends when they were employed in the same Department of The CID in Nairobi, Kenya.
Monica would often have Margaret come over for lunch at our small home and than return to work. On Weekends Margaret would come over so we could go to the matinee movies.

Margaret enjoyed western movies. Loved reading western books and her favourite actor John Wayne happened to visit CID in Nairobi where Margaret worked. Margaret in her excitement didn't realize that she had a book with John Wayne's picture on the cover of the book to get his autograph until after he had left.

During her visits to our place, she must have captured your Dad Tony"s heart. He somewhat mentioned to me that he liked her and it was a secret between us.

One Saturday, Monica, Margaret and I had booked tickets to go see the movie "High Society". Tony had just finished eating his lunch and I saw him looking at Margaret. It was then I decided to give my ticket to Tony to go with Margaret on their first date to the movie.

As their romance bloomed, they no longer needed me to play cupid. Then came the Wedding bells,
Monica and I were the Bride's Maids to your parents' wedding.

The Fernandes Family: Granny Lucy, Tony,
Margaret, Blaise, Monica and I all lived in a 3 room Flat in the downtown "town area."

Margaret, Monica and I helped our Mother in the kitchen and learned to cook delicious Goan cuisine.

Margaret was a loving sister in law. We enjoyed shopping together. When Margaret was pregnant with Gregory, we shopped for colorful material every Saturday and I sewed several maternity dresses for Margaret on my mum's singer sewing machine.

After, Tony, Margaret, Gregory and Conrad left Kenya, I missed them alot but kept in touch thru' correspondence.

Enroute to Canada, Paul, our children and I stopped in London to meet our families.

Tony and Margaret visited us several times in Toronto and vice versa, Paul and I spent holidays together with them in London, Goa and Malta. We had fun times and will cherish the fond memories.

Our last trip to London in 2018, Paul and I spent a few days with Margaret. We had fun family gatherings and since then made several video calls to Margaret, the last being on October 1, 2024.

Margaret, Paul and I are so glad we spoke to you on that date. Little did we know you would pass.

We take comfort knowing you are with Tony and the rest of our family members who are resting in peace.

Love you,
Miss you Margaret - 😢
Rest In Peace☦

Margaret, my dear sister-in-law, I am forever grateful for your kindness and hospitality, especially when I first arrived in the UK. You welcomed me into your home and into the heart of your family, and that warmth made all the difference.

You and Tony were the heart of the family, always there to hold us together through life’s ups and downs. The support you both offered, not only to family but to friends as well, was endless. You gave so freely and so selflessly, making sure no one felt alone in times of need.

I’ll always cherish the playful banter we shared, those moments of teasing and laughter exchanged with such good humour. You had a way of making everyone feel at ease, and I will miss that lighthearted spirit.

And of course, I’ll never forget the wonderful meals you prepared. Your home cooking was truly special – especially that roast lamb and roast potatoes. Those flavours, and the love you put into them, will stay with me always.

Thank you, Margaret, for everything. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Remembering My Beloved Sister-in-Law Margaret

Family meant everything to Margaret. She adored her boys, Tony, daughter-in-laws and especially her grandchildren, who held a special place in her heart. Nothing made her happier than when they came to stay the night. This was the family Margaret had always dreamed of as a child, and she cherished every moment of it.

I remember when I first met Margaret. I was a bundle of nerves because I had heard such wonderful stories about this amazing woman. But the moment I walked into 111 Dorset Road, all that anxiety disappeared with the warmest welcome you could imagine. Within minutes, I realised she and my mum had so much in common – they went to the same boarding school in Mapuca, came from almost the same village in Anjuna, Goa, and, to top it off, Margaret’s older brother Tony had once had a crush on my mum! Sadly for him, my mum was already spoken for, or we might have had an even deeper connection!

Margaret quickly became my go-to person after I married Blaise. Her kitchen became my classroom, with Goan cooking as the main subject. Of course, everything was measured “by feel” – “a pinch of this, a pinch of that.” I’d say, “Margaret, you’ve got to measure that pinch! I want it just like yours!” It wasn’t long before I realised her famous “pinch” was actually a full teaspoon – every time.

When Lauren was born, Margaret was there for me, waiting at home with a huge smile and an even bigger meal. When we moved into our new home in Highlands Gardens, it was Margaret who greeted us – with her famous chicken soup in hand, of course. She didn’t just visit; she practically moved in, and we loved it.

One of my fondest memories is of a trip to the Cotswolds with Margaret, Tony, Blaise, and a one-year-old Lauren. It was classic Margaret – fun, homemade sandwiches, and lots of laughter. Wherever Margaret went, she brought joy – and far too much food!

I loved swapping stories and recipes with her. Anyone who met Margaret would receive her full, undivided attention, and once you met her, you would never forget her. Her warmth and kindness were rare qualities.

I’ll always treasure the weekends Margaret spent with my mum in Streatham after I moved to Ilford. They would talk for hours – and I’m not exaggerating – hours! The Dorset Road hotline was always engaged whenever Margaret got on the phone.

Christmas at Dorset Road was legendary. The amount of food was like something out of a Michelin-starred restaurant – enough to last a month. And somehow, amidst the festive chaos, Margaret always found time to roll her eyes and mutter “bugger” whenever someone did something silly. Her legendary eye-rolls made it clear she was annoyed, but she could never stay angry for long.

Margaret and I shared so many special moments together – we could talk about anything and everything. I used to save up my luncheon vouchers, and whenever Margaret met me after work, we’d splash out on somewhere fancy and treat ourselves.

And then there were the day trips – Margaret and I would take Lauren, Ashley, and Beanie to Southend, the cinema, museums – we did it all. Swimming lessons in Seven Kings with Carolyn and Conrad were always a laugh before the children came along. And we had countless fun Friday nights in Kidbrooke, full of adventure and laughter.

But after Tony passed, Margaret was never quite the same. His loss was hard on her, and you could feel it.

When my mum died just four months after Tony, Margaret was the first to be there for me and Lauren, offering her support like a surrogate mum. Her love and guidance were invaluable, and she always knew how to lift me up.

I’m so thankful for the time I spent with Margaret in 2018, staying at Dorset Road before I moved to Portugal. If I have one regret, it’s that she never made it out to visit me there because of the Pandemic. I know she would have loved Alvor – and, knowing her, she would have found a way to take over the kitchen within hours of arriving. After all, as Margaret would always say, home cooking is the best!

Margaret, thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and for always being there when it mattered. You’ll forever hold a special place in my heart – and in my kitchen!

Debs

Our deepest condolences and love to : Greg, Ashley, Alexandra, Isabella, Sabrina, Conrad, Carolyn, Nathan, Adian, Lester, Theresa, Brian and Kate

To my dearest Fernandes family members,
I had written to you individually to pass on our condolences with regard to your beautiful mother Margaret’s passing.

Although, my time spent with Aunt Margaret were on the few vacation visits she impressed upon me her love of her family . On those visits we chatted about families, life topics and being short!

Aunt Margaret , you have a special place in our hearts. Your warmth, kindness, generosity, humour and love of shopping will always be remembered and cherished.

Rest in peace, you will be remembered in fond memories and love.
with all our love,
Maria, Terry, Rachel and Julien

Dear Conrad, Carolyn and all of your families. Condolences on your loss of Margaret, the matriarch of your family. We have fond memories of her welcoming presence As always my memories are associated with food as she cooked us a yummy biryani with the little fried potatoes! Reynah sends her condolences as well. Even though it is almost 20 years ago, she will never forget that your dad and mom paid her and Jacinto a very special visit.
May she rest in peace reunited with your dad.
Such lovely photos and tributes to her.
Nicole, Joe, Nicholas, and Reynah. ❤️

Margaret you were a very special sister-in-law, and a true friend till the end. We have so many wonderful memories that will live for ever. You played a very special part in our lives. I will miss our days out shopping and sharing lunch at Harrods and not spending a penny there except to eat lunch. Always there for me and the family. The children will always remember you as the best Aunty. Margaret we will all miss you dearly. Sister-in-law rest in peace. Bye my friend Love you - Philomena de Sousa and family

So sorry for your sad loss, we must believe Mum is in a better place and her journey continues. All our love and condolences to you all. Harmesh and Nita

Rest in peace aunty Margaret. Lots of love

Dearest Greg, Lester, Conrad, Brian and families: so sorry to learn of your beloved Mum’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending fondest love and hugs from Ronnie, Delilah, Danielle, Mike, Olivia and Elijah xxxx 🙏🏽✨🙏🏽

Dear Gregory, Lester, Conrad, Brian & families

So very sorry to hear about your dear Mum’s passing.

Although we hadn’t seen Margaret in recent years, both your mum & dad, were welcoming, kind, generous & warm-hearted people who have left me & my family with fond memories of our Nairobi days & early years here, when your parents graciously accommodated my Dad on his arrival to the UK from Kenya in 1968 - a gesture much appreciated by all our family and so, our parents lifelong friendship continued..
Now reunited, may your parents rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
I've attached a picture of both our parents at my Dad's 80th...happy days... may they all rest in peace..

Our deepest condolences to the whole family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. 🙏😔

Alka, Jay and Family

My condolences to you and your family. We are thinking of you all. Your mum is now at rest. May she rest in peace 🙏🏾

Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Sending lots of love
From Kim and family xx

Our deepest
condolences to you and your family.

Rip

I have such fond memories of Aunty Margaret, who welcomed us with open arms and made us feel truly at home. Her warmth and care, especially for Naythan during our visit for Conrad and Carol’s wedding, will never be forgotten.
Aunty Margaret, your kindness and love left a lasting mark in our hearts. May you Rest in Eternal Peace.