MARGARET Manthey lived a life dedicated to her family and to her community.
She is probably best known in Beaudesert for her strong commitment to the Beaudesert Scouts, who she tirelessly supported as Group Leader.
She became involved with the local Scouting group in 2010 when her grandchildren began attending and became a mainstay of the tight knit group.
Margaret and her husband John raised their children and grandchildren in Beaudesert.
Her grandson Ryan remembers when they finished building their home in Beaudesert.
“I had the privilege to be brought up by her and share her common traits – stubbornness, intelligence and good looks,” said Ryan.
“She was strong heaed with winning arguments and having the momentum for the take down, like a pro wrestler mid fight, while maintaining a smile, knowing we had no way out.”
Margaret’s love for her grandchildren knew no bounds.
“On the first night we stayed at the house in Beaudesert, I thought I was an acrobat and put my foot through the wall that was freshly plastered.”
“The look on her face was shocked, but she accepted it.”
She often called on family members asking for technological help with her computer and or the car, and Ryan said when the phones wouldn’t work or the car would not start, it was never a user fault.
“She would assure us it was someone else’s fault, usually Telstra’s.”
Margaret’s lack of technical expertise was understandable at her age, but it did not stop her from doing anything, and her family were also there to help (even if they did laugh about it occasionally).
Although she could be strict, she definitely had a soft spot for her grandchildren.
“One fond memory I had as a kid, was me starting to eat healthy with them, on this occasion, I remember telling my grandparents that I eat carrots now, and proceeded to eat one strand of grated carrot or my plate and that was all I needed to get away from the dinner table and watch TV.”
Margaret was the matriarch of the family and was always there when her children or grandchildren needed her the most.
She lead the way to get out of situations others thought were bleak, all the while maintaining her composure – she always knew the answers.
Every morning at 6.30am Margaret would have a conversation with her youngest daughter (and best friend), Katrina, regarding the weather.
