A Tribute to Marge Hudson-Reed

AN EXCELLENT WIFE, WHO CAN FIND? 
FOR HER WORTH IS FAR ABOVE JEWELS.
Proverbs 31: 10

It was with great sadness that we received news that our beloved Marge Hudson-Reed, wife of the founder Headmaster of Treverton, had passed away peacefully just 3 days after celebrating her 90th birthday in the Care Centre at Woodgrove Retirement Village, Pietermaritzburg. Marge will be greatly missed by her close knit family and by Trevertonians the world over. We rejoice in knowing that Marge has been released from her frailty and is safely at Home with her Lord and Saviour whom she loved and served so faithfully. It was wonderful that in spite of lockdown restrictions, special permission was granted to Jenny, Colin, their spouses and Marge’s grand daughters to share this momentous milestone birthday with their precious mom and granny. Because of the Covid travel ban, our thoughts and prayers have been with Barbara who was unable to visit and had to miss the family gathering because she teaches in the U.K.

My January 1964 arrival at Treverton as a 19 year old founder member of staff, a thousand miles from home and loved ones, is indelibly etched in my memory. After a two day train journey from Cape Town, Lyn Gowar and I were warmly welcomed by Derek and Marge who immediately made us feel part of their family and it’s been my joy to remain life long friends. The Huddies as they were fondly called, were an Amazing Team. From day one, Marge proved to be one of the most unassuming and selfless ladies I have ever met. She taught me much about the gift of Christian hospitality. Besides being an expert knitter, Marge was a wonderful homemaker and by creating a magnificent garden in each of her Mooi River and Pietermaritzburg homes, Marge brought pleasure to many passers by.I was amazed at how youthful Marge looked in 1964 and was impressed that at only 33 years of age, she was about to immerse herself wholeheartedly in the hectic life of a brand new headmaster with a zeal and a passion for education that left us gasping. Before long Marge revealed through her tireless devotion that she was also an extremely competent young Mum to their three children, Donald (11) Jenny (9) and young Colin (4) Then in 6 months’ time, we were all to share the excitement of the arrival of baby Barbara on 5 June.

It amazed us that Marge was able to share Huddy so generously with numerous folk who all made demands on his time and talents, or simply wanted to enjoy his kindly friendship. Their home was a welcoming haven and a nurturing Home from Home for boys and staff alike. As new young teachers not yet accustomed to the icy Mooi River winters and without heating in the dorms, we were invited to mark our school books and prepare new lessons at the Huddies fireside. Staff Bible studies and fellowship evenings in their lounge proved to be great times of enrichment and spiritual blessing.

Marge learnt to be totally adaptable and flexible, never knowing exactly when Derek would return from his many meetings and extended interviews. She could never be quite certain how many she was catering for because passers-by and new comers were often invited to join the family circle. Marge always seemed to be making up or stripping beds and their spare room was seldom unoccupied.

Guests aways found a vase of beautiful fresh flowers and a bowl of tempting  sweets to welcome them. Marge’s tea trolley in the lounge was kept permanently laid with welcoming China tea cups and the biscuit barrel was frequently replenished.

We all loved Marge’s infectious sense of humour and her hearty chuckle. In my 15 years at Treverton and in our 57 years of friendship, I never once heard Marge utter an unkind word or lose her temper. She put up with many intrusions and unexpected inconveniences.  Huddy was a magnet to hordes of endearing little Prep pupils in orange and grey tracksuits who thronged their bedroom window at 6.30 to see if he was ready to accompany them on the early morning run. Others came knocking late at night for Huddy’s famous chocolate coated homesick pills while others wanted him to mend a bicycle puncture, make a kite tail, help saddle a horse, shoot the rapids with them or help them pitch a tent for weekend sleepovers.Marge was the Prep School secretary for several years and remained cheerful and serene at the most frenetic times of the school year. She was a skillful touch typist and typed all our exam papers on wax stencils and printed them on a Gestetner machine. Marge was highly respected in the community when she served alongside Huddy as Mayoress of Mooi River and was greatly loved as the Pietermaritzburg Rotary Ann President.

At age 80 Marge was still  corresponding via email with past pupils and staff members all over the world.