It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of Susie Hope (née Watt), on Aug. 28, 2025. Susie was our fabulous Head Girl in 1987, and was instrumental in organising the large choral reunion which took place in school in 2008. Susie lived in Biggar, and leaves a husband and two sons. In the words of her son Fin, “Mum was an absolute wonder woman, with a heart of gold, and a cracking sense of humour, a drive behind her that no one could stop and a passion for helping others. She was the rock of the family and it’s a devastating loss to us all.”

Susie’s funeral is an open service at Mortonhall Crematorium on Tuesday Sept. 16 at 11am, followed by funeral teas at the Tinto House Hotel. All welcome. Preferably no black, coloured ties and bold scarfs as Susie would have wanted. Family flowers only.

Former staff and pupils alike, were deeply saddened to learn of the passing on March 7, 2024, of the very popular and fun loving teacher, Carla Spadavecchia (married name Luzzani). Carla, was St. Margaret’s School’s Latin and Italian teacher during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Not only will she always be remembered for “Ecce Romani”, and making Latin such fun, but also for all of the wonderful school trips that she organised, including Roman Britain, Rome (fond memories of her “dragging” the girls up Mount Vesuvius!), and also a memorable trip in 1983 to Arran with Miss Egginton (the photograph below was taken on the ferry to Brodick).

Former staff kept contact with Carla, corresponding regularly, and were delighted to know that she was happily married to Renato, living in Milan. She had many nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond and proud. Carla loved her subject and loved sharing her passion for the classical world.

We understand that Carla’s funeral was held on Saturday March 9, 2024 and it is hoped that she may be buried eventually at Clairvaux Abby, a place that she loved. The thoughts and sympathies of all from St. Margaret’s School who were fortunate enough to have known her, are with Renato and all of her family at this very sad time.

We are saddened to learn the news of the peaceful passing of Miss Isobel Wilson, aged 89, who taught in the junior school at St Margaret’s for many years, and was much loved and respected by her former pupils and staff alike. Former FPs and staff who knew her, are most welcome to attend the funeral on Thursday Feb. 8, 2024 at Cloister Chapel, Warriston Crematorium, at 10.30am. More information is available in the Scotsman obituary. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to all of Miss Wilson’s family and friends.

MEIKLE
Joan Hauxwell
(Edinburgh)

At the Western General Hospital, on August 15, 2022. Joan, dear wife of the late Ian, Mother of Heather and Gordon, grandmother to Alana. Service of Thanksgiving to be held at Palmerston Place Church, on Monday September 19, 2022, at 12 noon.  Joan was Treasurer of the St Margaret’s Association (FP Club) for many years and a dedicated member of the Committee. Our thoughts are with all of Joan’s  family.

It is with very great sadness that the death is announced of Sue Polson, who died peacefully on Sunday 11 April in the Ellen Glen unit in Edinburgh. Sue was a tireless supporter of the St Margaret’s Association and will be greatly missed. Our sympathy goes out to her husband Andrew and her family.

Sue was the Headmistress’ Secretary for many years, and her organisational skills and cheerful efficiency were much appreciated. In 2010 when school closed, Sue helped to preserve the St Margaret’s Archive and establish its future. She offered unstinting support to the annual St Margaret’s Day tea parties, hosted at St George’s, and her prodigious memory was invaluable when she was in charge of welcoming all who attended.

Sue suffered from MS for many years and never let the condition get in the way of life. She was a well respected spokesperson for MS in Scotland and the position found her representing the situation of sufferers and their carers up and down the country and over the airwaves. Her courage and cheerfulness were absolutely remarkable.

Sue had a beautiful voice and I can hear her singing out the words of our school song. ‘FORTITER VIVAMUS’ which was and is such a fitting tribute to Sue’s life.
May she rest in peace.

Funeral private due to current restrictions, at 2 pm, on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Family flowers only. Donations if desired can be made to the MS Society Scotland at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sue-polsonms. A live stream will be available of the service using the following login details: www.obitus.com/; Username – goyo6401, Password – 950502.

We were very sad to learn of the passing of Sandra Connock, St. Margaret’s school leaver in 1975, who died suddenly on October 29, 2020. Her funeral is on November 13, 2020 and the family have asked that friends who wish to do so, might light a candle and toast to Sandy at 8pm on Friday.

We are very sad to learn news that Gillian E. Arnott, of Gifford, year of 1976, died peacefully on 15th October 2020. The notice appeared in The Scotsman on 20th October.

On leaving school Gillian attended Warwick University where she specialised in American literature. She then moved to the USA where she lived in Oregon for a number of years before returning to Scotland. Among the many roles she fulfilled in her working life, she was a gifted and meticulous administrator. She worked at the Scottish Museums Council and the National Library of Scotland as well as undertaking a variety of voluntary roles. Her interests were wide-ranging. In addition to her love of music and literature and the arts in general, she had an irrepressible and life-long enthusiasm for horses, cats, vintage BMW cars, and Caravaggio. Those who remember her will recall her beaming smile and her fondness of lively conversation. An only child, she was a devoted and loving daughter to her late mother, Stella, and to her father, Ian, whom she has pre-deceased. Our sincere thoughts and sympathies are with Gillian’s father and all her friends.

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Sheena Graham, fondly remembered teacher in the music department of brass, piano and founder of the windband until 1988. Sheena also taught the horns in the Edinburgh Secondary Schools Orchestra (ESSO) and after leaving St. Margaret’s, became joint head of department at the Edinburgh Academy. Sheena was connected to the Paisley Abbey choir for the best part of 50 years and will be very sadly missed. She was ill for a short time. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with her husband Andrew, and all Sheena’s family and friends.

The funeral service is at Paisley Woodside Crematorium on Wednesday Sept. 30th at 11.30am. Because of restricted numbers, this video link enables those unable to attend, to virtually watch the service (Login/Order ID: 49492; Password: kadubcev).

We are so very sad to learn of the passing of Nancy Roberts on the morning of Thursday July 30, 2020. Nancy died peacefully, in her own bed at home. She was 95 and never lost her positive outlook and her unwaning zest for life. Many of us were fortunate enough to meet Nancy at Mrs Hiddleston’s memorial in January 2018, where, despite being frail, she delighted us all with her outstanding memory for everyone’s names, and had even kept up with what many of us had done, who we married and where we lived decades after leaving school! She truly was “a legend” and we were so very fortunate to have had her unique talents and skills behind the running and administration of the school for so many decades. Nancy will always be very fondly remembered and is very sadly missed.

Nancy’s family confirmed the details for the live streaming of her funeral service on Friday August 14, 2020, to which we hope many former pupils and staff were able to join. We were so pleased that Jane Forbes was invited to attend in person, to represent the St. Margaret’s FP Association. For anyone who was unable to join the live streaming of Nancy’s funeral, you can read the details of the beautiful service at Mortonhall, and eulogy which was delivered by Nancy’s niece, Sally.

Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with all of Nancy’s family and friends.