TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the longest-standing and most dedicated members of a church, who died weeks before her 97th birthday.

Margaret Rowland died on Monday, April 6, at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.

She taught at Slough High School for Girls, now know as Upton Court Grammar School, for more than 30 years and was known by many as 'Miss Rowland the physics teacher’.

She was also known for her hard work and commitment to the Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) at Wexham Park, where she volunteered for more than 20 years after her retirement.

Miss Rowland was born in 1918 in Clapham, and was a graduate of King’s College, London. She lived in Stoke Poges Lane for nearly 70 years.

She served as churchwarden at St John the Baptist Church in Manor Park in the late 1970s and gave strong and enthusiastic support to church life well into her nineties.

In 2005, her service was recognised by an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party.

Graham Fletcher, one of the church wardens, said: “Margaret will be sorely missed by many in Slough, and will leave a hole in the family of the St John’s congregation. She was a generous soul and a great character.” Although she never married, Margaret had a big extended family, with five nieces and nephews, 12 great-nieces and nephews and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Sheila Russell, one of her nieces, said: “She was my aunt and my godmother and we had quite a close relationship.

“She was very intelligent, independent and very caring towards other people.

“Margaret’s house became the family house. She had damson trees and apple trees and the children liked to visit in the autumn to pick the fruit.

“She would make damson jam or chutney and apple sauce.” Mohammad Anwar, 65, a close friend who lives in Stoke Poges Lane, visited her nearly every day during the month she spent in hospital.

“She was a very great lady, very nice and really like a mum.I moved to Stoke Poges Lane in 1989 and she came to my door to collect charity money and we got talking.

“I’d go to her house and we’d chat. I really miss her.” The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) at St John the Baptist Church. Miss Rowland’s family have asked for donations in her memory to go to Christian Aid or Practical Action, an international development charity.