Tributes to former sister at Leigh Infirmary

Margaret Lythgoe was a woman who lived for her family and thoroughly loved spending time with her nine grandchildren during their youth, and later her eight great grandchildren. 

The Irish-born farmgirl came over to England in 1949 at the age of 19 after “sticking a pin in a map which landed on Leigh” and finding inspiration to become a nurse.

She started as a nurse for Leigh Infirmary where she met Derek Lythgoe, a haematologist she later went on to marry in 1953.

Newlyweds Derek and Margaret Lythgoe outside the church in Ireland in 1953

Dave Lythgoe, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “She was a special woman who was gifted with mischievous wit as well as a warm and kind nature which was evident to all those who met her.

“She was known to so many in Leigh who had come across her during her time in the area, whether that was on the ward of Leigh Infirmary where she worked for 35 years, or later in life during her time with Wigan and Leigh hospice with whom she spent 25 years in various different roles.

“Caring is what she did and continued to do for dad when he was left largely immobile following an aortic aneurysm - after which he lived for another 12 years.

“She was always happiest looking after others rather than herself.”

The full Lythgoe family on holiday in Wales minus a couple of recently arrived great-grandchildren

The mother-of-three not only managed to raise a family and work full-time though, but she was also a keen walker, baker, and gardener.

Mr Lythgoe said her baking skills were something to be admired too as she would make multiple pies every weekend for him, his brothers Adrian and Robert and father Derek, and left a pie salesman baffled; she told him she had never bought a pie in her life - all homemade.

Later in life she would spend time baking with her grandchildren, passing on her knowledge.

The Meynell Drive resident was a well-known figure in the area because of her active roles in the community, not just in the health service but with the church - Kingsleigh Methodist.

She lived independently until recently, kept in regular contact with her relatives in Ireland and England through phone calls and letters, and met up with friends on a regular basis before the pandemic hit.

Margaret and Derek Lythgoe cutting the cake at their 60th wedding anniversary

“In the last few months of her life she sadly deteriorated which was tough to witness, especially when she went into hospital a few months ago when visiting was not allowed due to Covid,” Mr Lythgoe continued.

“She always said she did not want to go into a home or make it to 91, and she managed to achieve both of her wishes.

“She will be missed dearly by all her family and her memory will live on through us.”

Margaret died peacefully at Salford Royal Hospital at the end of last month, joining her beloved husband, Derek.