Sunderland grandmother and charity worker dies after battle with coronavirus

The family of a much-loved grandmother have paid tribute to the ‘strong woman who always put others first’ who has sadly died after testing positive for Covid-19.
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Margaret ‘Margie’ Blyth was just 66-years-old when she lost her life at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Monday, April 20, after testing positive for coronavirus.

Her grieving family have now paid tribute to the beloved Millfield grandmother who dedicated 18 years of her life to supporting the North East Autism Society.

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Colleagues say Margie was like a mum to staff and service-users at the Emsworth Centre for adult day care services in Sunderland.

Margie Blyth pictured with her husband Peter (left) and with her grandson.Margie Blyth pictured with her husband Peter (left) and with her grandson.
Margie Blyth pictured with her husband Peter (left) and with her grandson.

In a touching message posted on a Just Giving page set up for those wanting to donate to the North East Autism Society in Margie’s memory, her daughter Rachael Blyth said: “Never once did we think that she wasn’t going to make it, so when we got the news on Monday the 20th April that she had taken a bad turn, we rushed straight to the Hospital but didn’t make it in time, my amazing mam had passed away.

“She used to look forward to spending time with her grandchildren Jacob, Charlie and Oliver and she absolutely lived for them, spoiling them rotten every chance she got. Jon and myself would get phone calls most mornings when she was in Wilkinson’s in the town or Aldi at Southwick and had spotted a bargain for them.”

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It is not known how the dedicated charity worker contracted coronavirus but her family say Margie had been suffering from an underlying health condition which had weakened her lungs.

Margie with husband Peter and grandson JacobMargie with husband Peter and grandson Jacob
Margie with husband Peter and grandson Jacob
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A dedicated charity worker, colleagues at the North East Autism Society say that while her official title was domestic staff – Margie was ‘so much more’.

Margie’s son, Jon, said: “She was so proud to work for the Society – I tried to get her to retire but she wouldn’t because she loved working there. She was a very strong woman who always put others first.”

Her husband Peter added: “If anyone ever needed anything, she was always there to help.”

The mum-of-two also leaves two grandchildren – Jacob, six, and Charlie, 11 months – and a step great grandchild, Oliver, five.

A tribute to Margie shone on a wall in WashingtonA tribute to Margie shone on a wall in Washington
A tribute to Margie shone on a wall in Washington
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Her son Jon’s best friend Jemma Potts and her partner Scott Palmer, who live in Washington, shone an image of Margie on a wall, and residents in their street applauded as a tribute.

North East Autism Society’s chief executive, John Phillipson, described Margie as a “local hero”, adding: “In losing her, we have lost a significant member of our team and a friend. We’ve lost one of our own, and she will be greatly missed.”

In an email to staff, Mr Phillipson broke the news with a “heavy heart”. He said: “When someone dies, there is often a rush of people who want to say how special they were. Sometimes the comments exaggerate just how special the person was. In Margie’s case, the compliments will be entirely deserved.

Margie with husband Peter and grandson JacobMargie with husband Peter and grandson Jacob
Margie with husband Peter and grandson Jacob

“Margie was a great favourite of people who worked closely with her. She was reliable, hard-working and dedicated. She would do anything for anyone. She had a great sense of humour and we will all miss the warmth of her personality.”

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Tributes have flooded in from fellow staff members, with one saying: “To our service-users, she was part of their everyday life, whether it be greeting them at the door with a smile, seeing them off in their taxis with a wave, tidying their rooms, washing their clothes and preparing their lunches.

“She devoted her life to her work and her family, and she will be forever remembered by us all.”

It is not known how Margie contracted the virus, but Mr Phillipson said no one else had shown symptoms who had been near her at work.

Margie’s funeral is to be held at Sunderland Crematorium at 5pm on Thursday, May 7, and the family is setting up a JustGiving page in her name to raise money for the North East Autism Society in lieu of flowers. A party to celebrate her life will be held after the lockdown.

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