To my dear godmother Margaret. You were tragically taken from us far too soon - I was not quite ready to let you go. Thank you for being in my life and I truly valued your guidance, advice and love. You were also an amazing friend to my extended family for over 70 years. You returned to the Hutt Valley just after my mother passed away and I dearly treasured being able to pop in for a cup of tea, a cheese scone or beautiful shortbread and a chat about our families. I treasure my last visit just recently. Your legacy continues through your beautiful family. I can take comfort that you are reunited with Kelvin (my godfather) and you can both now rest in peace. Abundant blessings to you both. Moira Balloch (Martin)

Mrs Biggs taught myself, my two sisters, my mother and her siblings at Chanel. I have very fond memories of her typing classes and firm but kind hand in my early years at Chanel. We are deeply saddened to hear of her passing. We send aroha to you all at this time. Kawana/Morris whanau

We were very saddened to hear of Margarets passing, she was such a lovely lady. I am sure you are all going to miss her dearly. The highlight of my walks is looking into the lovely garden as I go past. Thinking of you all. Kind regards, Linda Jesson (neighbour)

Our condolences to Margaret's family on her very sad passing. Margaret was always an inspiration for me; her calmness as a teacher, her understanding of teenagers and her influence on them, her devotion to her faith , her deep love of Kelvin and her sons and the love and care of Graham. We shared the love of gardens and flowers and as I had three sons, as she did, our lunches together usually included those topics - and then there were the grandchildren to discuss - all wonderful according to us!! Margaret and Kelvin can be proud of their children and the family they created, may they always remember her as she was - a lovely, immaculately-dressed, caring and supportive woman. May she rest in eternal peace. Caryl and Karl Taucher

Rest in peace, Aunty Margaret. Both Sharon in Tuscany and myself watched the live stream. The boys did you proud.. A lovely service. I will miss our chats lovely lady Arohanui from us both.

Dear Greg, Chris, Brendan and Graham and you and yours. What a wonderful mother and sister to you and sister to our Dad Kevin. I will miss her immensely. Such a well lived life full of love and community and support.! She gave us so much love and hospitality over the years all those Christmas celebrations in Masterton and times in the garden. It was wonderful to be the niece of an Aunt with three boys. I was the willing recipient of all the dolls and dresses. I will miss our chats, the way she would tilt her head and laugh and say “You’re just like your father”. With much love Nicole, Paul, Elodie and Otis

My sincere condolences to the family of Margaret for her tragic death following the trauma she suffered so undeservedly in July. Margaret's Mum was a cousin of our grandfather and I first met them both as a child when they visited our Mum, Zita (nee MacNamara). When, at various opportunities I was able to meet Margaret I was privileged to encounter such a lovely, friendly person, so interested enthusiastic, and proud of her family. Margaret, you will be very missed by your immediate family, friends, colleagues and past students. ....you so loved and appreciated! "May you find for each one you love A different locket of jewelled words To be worn around the heart To warm your absence" (John O'Donohue - Benedictus)

Dear Greg, Joanne, Chris, Liz, Brendan, Mary-Anne, Graham and children and grandchildren, Margaret was a dearly loved big sister to my dad Kevin and my mum Laraine. Shaun, Nicole and I have many happy memories of Christmas and birthday celebrations with Margaret, Kelvin and the Biggs family as we were growing up. She was so proud of you boys and your families and loved keeping us up-to-date on what was happening in your lives. She was such a kind and caring sister to Graham throughout her life. It was lovely to spend time with Margaret in many visits to Wellington over recent years. And very special to find that I had timed my visit to be on Kelvin and Greg's birthday the last 2 years. Margaret was both my Aunt and Godmother and was very special to me. She was full of life, and wisdom, and took a keen interest in everyone she met. We'll miss Margaret dearly and she will always hold a special place in our hearts. Lots of love Robyn, Nigel, Ryan and Erin xxxx

My dear Aunty Margaret. What a wonderful, colourful, courageous Women you have been. Have loved our many chats and visits over the years, my Dad Kevin was so proud of his sister. The matriarch of the family. The Smiths and Biggs are all missing you and grieving. RIP and continue to find the good things in life and beyond X

Dear Greg, Chris, Brendan and Graham, We would like to pass on our deepest condolences on the passing of your beautiful Mum and sister. We can only remember her lovely laugh and warm smile and heart-warming hugs. The sad things of the last days cannot hold a candle to the treasure of Margaret's wonderful life. All of us felt loved and welcomed by Margaret in all of the homes we were lucky enough to visit, Churton Cres, Lansdowne and Park Ave. Margaret made us laugh and we loved to share our stories and listen to hers. Surely, she is being loved to pieces by Kelvin and the God she loved so faithfully and beautifully all these years. Our sadness is real, but the joy of having known and loved such a remarkable woman is much greater. With all our love, The Hall family

Margaret you were always kind, loving and generous. You will be sadly missed by all your family including your grandchildren, great grandchildren and the great grandchildren who will never have the opportunity to get to know you. I know you will be with Kelvin now and making the gardens of heaven as beautiful as the gardens you made on Earth. ❤️

I met Margaret many years ago on a sports exchange with Chanel College and liked her immediately. She was great company, friendly, kind, intelligent and never short of a word. What I wasn't to know, was that I would remeet her again, some decades later, as the mother-in-law to be, to my sister Liz. We have all enjoyed many family gatherings since. Margaret was always really personable, a fantastic educator, a loyal wife and mother, and a woman of great faith. This was surely of some comfort to her in her last days. I will miss you Margaret. Cath Nota

As Chair of the BOT I frequently liaised with Margaret and we discussed issues and concerns, and celebrated success. Margaret was a most efficient HOD and Deputy Principal, but she was also a very caring teacher, with a deep concern for the students' welfare. Many of the students, especially the girls, would approach Margaret to share their problems and sometimes their challenging home circumstances. She would give them her attention and a 'listening ear'. Her strong Catholic faith was an inspiration and example to staff, parents and students. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

To Margaret's family sincere condolences on behalf of Brenda & Bruce Connell a wonderful and caring teacher to my children at Chanel College. Thank you Margaret for your kindness to them and all the students you taught. RIP Margaret. Arohanui.

My darling cousin, in 1975 when I arrived in Nz u and Kelvin arrived at my house in Napier, such a lovely surprise I could see and tell u were so much our Irish side McDonagh your lovely nature and caring and looking so much like my lovely late sister Noreen, we had so much lovely phone calls and visits with u. Especially when my mother came to nz and got to meet her beautiful niece . Years passed we still remained very close with phone calls and visits. I will miss you very much my beautiful cousin. As we always ended our phone calls God bless. Rest in peace my darling. All my love John xxx

Thank you Mrs Biggs for your guidance and life of service. For Margaret Biggs by T C Shaw Some souls do not fade with time 
they become a steady flame,
 lighting paths long after
 their own footsteps are gone. You led with strength,
 tempered always by fairness,
 and taught us that character 
matters as much as knowledge. I still smile remembering your firm instruction 
to wash away all that eighties eyeliner,
 a reminder that standards matter, 
 and one that we never forgot. Your faith was the light you carried,
 quiet, constant, unwavering.
 In sharing it with generations of students,
you have kindled something in us too. May that flame now burn brightly in eternal peace,
 and may the light you gave to others
continue to shine 
in all whose lives you touched.

It was with great sadness that Irene and I heard of the tragic death of our friend and colleague from Chanel college Masterton. Margaret was a woman of principle and great devotion to Chanel College. She was a passionate teacher, Head of department and Assistant Principal. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her brother Graham and her family whom she was devoted to and so proud of. Lastly Margaret was a woman of faith and dedication to the Catholic Church. May she rest in peace. Michael O’Loughlin Principal Chanel College 1986 - 1995

I only met Marga once but she left such a wonderful impression on me. I could sense her strong yet caring spirit. She will be missed by her family and I will keep her in my heart as I go through life with her beautiful granddaughter Sophie as my soon to be wife.

Margaret Biggs was the loved and respected Assistant Principal and Head of Commerce and teacher of Religious Studies at Chanel College from its very early years until she retired in the early 1990s. I shared many years teaching with Margaret and we both coached entrants in the annual O'Shea Shield Competitions, She was also a great supporter of the netball girls. Margaret and Kelvin were also faithful and supportive fellow Catholic parishioners at St Patrick's Church Masterton. She loved her Jordan Terrace garden and was very proud of her roses. She was a super proud Mum and Grandma and now a Great grandmother too. My sincere sympathy goes to her grieving family. May Margaret rest in peace.