Memories of Margaret
by her nephew Mark Castelino
The passing of Margaret represents the laying down of the last of the giants brought forth by the great Grace Castelino, better known as our Nanny or simply “Amazing Grace.”
Margaret was the last child of Nanny’s and the last to go. She leaves a footprint difficult to match so I will try very hard to show what she meant to us, her children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
When I think of Margaret, the following comes to mind:
Olympian in spirit
She was the full back for India at the Melbourne Olympics. Together with left back Munira Shakur and goalie Janet “Legs 11" they were an impregnable fortress. But saving goals does not win championships, scoring them does. The other Wild Cat, her sister Maryjane, scored many of the goals that delivered those championships.
Seeker of adventure
Went to a god forsaken place called Kalimpong to teach in a girls school when she was barely out of her teenage years.
Eclectic
She could do it all and with a smile too: a mother, a wife, a teacher to the normal and handicapped, a school principal, an artist is only a partial list.
Thoroughbred
If she were an equine she might have given the great Secretariat a run for the money. A Triple Crown winner she would be, as no challenge would faze her
Pioneer
Came to Besant Nagar to start a family when it was barely a village, built probably one of the first homes there to shelter her husband and children. Later she was the prime mover in settling her mother and sisters, Ruth and Flo, in homes across the street from her, and finding a home for her brother Osy after his return from Paradise.
Caregiver
Our own “Mother Teresa.” Untold numbers have been beneficiaries of her TLC …tender loving care. There is a saying “Never fear, Margaret’s here.”
Contentment
Unlike many rich and famous people who always want MORE, Margaret has always had the one thing they will never have. That one thing is ENOUGH (because if you always want MORE, you can never have ENOUGH)
I conclude this tribute with a song which captures dear Margaret’s spirit. It is from the movie “Annie Get Your Gun” by the great American song writer Irving Berlin. Some of Margaret’s generation will be able to hum the tune which goes with the following lyrics.
Taking stock of what I have and what I haven’t
What do I find?
The things I got will keep me satisfied
Checking up on what I have and what I haven’t
What do I find?
A healthy balance on the credit side
Got no diamonds, got no pearls
Still I think I’m a lucky girl
I’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night
I’m alright
Got no silver, got no gold
What I got can’t be bought or sold
I’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night
And, with the sun in the morning and the moon in the evening
I’m alright
Sunshine gives me a lovely day
Moonlight gives me the Milky Way
Got no heirlooms for my kin
Made no will but when I cash it in
I leave the sun in the morning and the moon at night
And with the sun in the morning
And the moon in the evening they’re alright.
Here is Doris Day reprising the song for us. Enjoy!
Thank you Margaret for being such a very important part of our lives.
God Bless You!
With all my love,
Mark