One year on from the passing of a much-loved member of staff, Margaret ‘Margie’ Blyth has been fondly remembered by her former colleagues, and the autistic young people and adults whose lives she touched.

Margie sadly passed away in April last year, and, having served the North East Autism Society for 18 years, her death was felt deeply across NEAS.

While her official title was ‘domestic staff’, Margie positively impacted the lives of so many people across the charity and, this week, adults who access the day service provision where Margie was based marked the anniversary of her death in a very touching way 

In a nod to her love of flowers, adults at the Society’s Number 24 service in Sunderland spent time decorating plant pots and planting seeds in the shape of an ‘M’ in memory of Margie, who was affectionately known as ‘Mum’.

Chris Dempster, Director of Education at NEAS, remembers Margie as “part of the family” within the Society and says her legacy will not be forgotten by those lucky enough to have known her.

“Margie was a much-loved member of staff and, in the 18 years she was with the Society, she very much became part of the family,” Chris says.

“To this day, people all across the charity are still talking about the positive impact she had on their lives. 

“We all very much miss her presence, but Margie’s memory will live on through her former colleagues, as well as the autistic young people and adults she helped to support.”

Following Margaret’s death last year , the North East Autism Society also named a flower after the popular employee.

The orange and pink geranium, which was cultivated by horticultural experts at New Warlands Farm, in County Durham, was named ‘Margie Blyth’ in her honour.

The main plant was given to Margie’s family and 11 cuttings were given pride of place in the various locations of the charity where she worked.

At the time, Margie’s son Jon said: “The family are really touched. It’s a beautiful tribute and it means her memory will be around forever. She loved flowers and would have loved to know this had happened.”