With great sadness Margaret Allen, known to many Senators by her maiden name Margaret Meechan was laid to rest on August 2nd.  Around 15 Senators joined the congregation of friends and family along with other past members of Junior Chamber London .

Margaret joined Junior Chamber in Leeds and moved to London where she was Head of Tax for the Arcadia group. She was a lady of great passion and determination and when Margaret took on a task you knew it would be successfully completed. In Junior Chamber she took on many roles and in 2000 was the national finance director.

Another of Margaret’s passions was horse riding, which was why she & John moved to the countryside. The hearse could be heard several minutes before it could be seen as it was drawn by four magnificent horses. Immediately behind, with great dignity, were Margaret’s twin children, Sophie and James, aged 7, riding their ponies. It was a very fitting and dignified procession.

John delivered a wonderful eulogy.  In it he recounted the night, as a St Albans member, that he attended a London JC awards dinner. This happened to be the very night that Margaret was presented with her Senatorship. He was smitten, their friendship and love grew and they married.

Margaret was a very determined lady who succeed with very many challenges. It is so sad that the one challenge she could not defeat was here illness. It had been with her for some considerable time. She tried very hard and travelled by Eurostar to Paris weekly for specialist treatment. Sadly this was one challenge too many.

During the service Senator Karen Pheasant read the poem don’t grieve for me. It starts ‘Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free’.

Whilst resting in peace she will be missed greatly and fondly remembered by her many friends.

Barry Miller

Worshipful Master, Junior Chamber Lodge, 8902

Senator 51886

Board Member, Association of Senators in Europe, 2013-4

Chairman, British Senate, 2008

National President, British Junior Chamber, 1996