Tribute+to+Margaret+Clay

On Friday 22 August many U3A Sapphire Coast members joined with the family and friends of Margaret Clay at the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club, to celebrate her life, mourn her passing and reminisce. Margaret Clay was the first secretary of U3A Sapphire Coast. It was then known as Leisure Learning and held its inaugural meeting in March 1997. The first committee was led by President, Dorothy Heasty and together with Margaret, consisted of Winsome Denniss as Treasurer, Harry O’Neil as Publicity Officer and June Treloar in the role of Coordination and Fund Raising. Initially meetings and some courses were held in the Sapphire Community House behind the old Merimbula Library. Margaret continued as secretary for 4 years and went on to hold a variety of roles on subsequent committees, including management of the Membership Register and Publicity Officer. In 2003 Margaret accepted the role of Public Officer remaining in this position until she became ill with pancreatic cancer in late 2013. A retired school teacher, Margaret was an active member of the community who derived joy and pleasure from sharing her skills. Whilst she was a private person, she was passionate about learning and gave her time freely to assist and work with others. Margaret believed leisure learning and continuous self-development, formed the basis of a more tolerant society. Her strong desire to keep learning and developing her own skills drove her early participation in the formation and success of U3A in Merimbula. Margaret was a regular at U3A activities, particularly enjoying the early Calligraphy classes. Margaret was also an active participant in the Merimbula Tai Chi group and a long standing member of the Alliance Francaise group, travelling to France on several occasions. Being a strong and determined woman, she survived a midlife bout of breast cancer with no fanfare and just got on with life. Very caring and family orientated, her life revolved around her family. Margaret was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, attended University and also met her husband, Mackenzie there. Margaret is survived by her children Morag (and husband Chris); twins Fiona and Fraser (and wife Linda); Moira and grandchildren James, Sarah and Kelly. On behalf of our members, U3A Sapphire Coast acknowledges, honours and appreciates the contribution Margaret Clay made to lifelong learning for third agers in the Bega Valley. It is dedicated and willing volunteers, such as Margaret that support community participation and enable opportunities for others.
 * U3A tribute to Margaret Clay **

Elle Millsteed .................................. **Contact:** eloise.millsteed@gmail.com

Publicity Officer ................................. or phone on 6495 9755

U3A Sapphire Coast