With the passing away in the early hours of Monday, at the residence of her son-in-law and daughter (Mr and Mrs W H Marriott), of Mrs Martha Margetts, aged 80, widow of the late Mr Thomas Margetts, one of the oldest Rushden families is bereaved. Mr Margetts died 20 years ago this month. Mrs Margetts’ life had been prolonged largely owing to the great care taken of her for many years by her daughter and also to possessing a good constitution. Old age was the cause of death. She was formerly Miss Whitehead. Her husband was one of the most notable and highly respected townsmen of Rushden. In his younger days he bought property adjoining the Wheatsheaf, Rushden (both sides of High-street, and understood to be parts of buildings belonging to the Wheatsheaf Windmill), and rebuilt the structures to make dwelling-houses. In those houses an old member of the Claridge family of Rushden lived, and in a little shop at the back (on the east side of the street) a humble beginning of the present great firm of Messrs John Cave and Sons Ltd., was made. Amongst Mr Margetts’ many activities was the much-valued work of repairing and restoring the fabric of St Mary’s Church, Rushden. Part of this work meant a climb to the weathercock, which Mr Margetts did on the outside of the church. He got the weathercock down, gilded it, slung it on to his back, and climbed the church to replace it. This is recorded on a tablet in the church and also in the official records. He was skilled in many trades and was a busy man, always to good purpose. The only members of the deceased’s family are Mrs Marriott (daughter) and Mr F W Margetts, schoolmaster, of Higham Ferrers, (son). There are, however, four brothers of the deceased living, all being over the age of 70. They are Messrs Frank and Tom Whitehead, of Sale, Cheshire, and Messrs Jack and Fred Whitehead, of Liverpool. The funeral of Mrs Margetts took place on Wednesday, the Rev R H Hanson officiating. A service was held in St Mary’s Church, and the interment took place at the cemetery. The mourners were Mr F W Margetts (son), Mrs K Marriott (daughter), Mrs F W Margetts (daughter-in-law), Mr W H Marriott (son-in-law), Miss Dorothy Margetts, Mr Cecil Margetts, Miss Dora Marriott (grandchildren), Mrs G Skerritt, of Birmingham (niece), Mr and Mrs John T Reid, Mrs Scholes (friends), and Mrs Lake (niece). Wreaths placed on the grave bore inscriptions as follow: In loving memory of a devoted mother, from Frank, Kate, Harry, Sue, and grandchildren Dorothy, Dora, and Cecil. In deepest sympathy, from her brother, F Whitehead, Liverpool. In loving memory, from her brothers Tom and Frank, and from Annie, Manchester. From John, Lizzie, and Maggie, with sincere sympathy. With deepest sympathy, from Mt and Mrs G Skerritt and family. In affectionate remembrance, from Mrs Scholes and family. With deepest sympathy, from Mr and <Mrs E Marriott, Gertie, Florrie, and Albert, Wellingborough. In remembrance, from Mr and Mrs Young. In loving memory, Mr and Mrs Larkins. In affectionate remembrance, from Mr and Mrs I Haigh and family. With deepest sympathy, from Annie. In loving memory of a dear old friend, from Mrs Freeman and Annie and Louie. In loving memory of dear aunt, from Mr and Mrs Luke and family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Whittington and Tomlin.