Margaret Elizabeth Thomson

Margaret Elizabeth Thomson (née Wallace) was born on a crisp autumn morning in Edinburgh in 1940, the youngest daughter of James and Helen Wallace. Growing up in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, she developed an early love for stories, spending hours in the public library that would later become her professional home. After a distinguished school career, Margaret married Robert Thomson in 1962. Together they built a warm, book-filled home in Morningside where they raised two children, David and Sarah. Friends remember their house as a place where the kettle was always on, the conversation was always lively, and there was always room for one more at the table. Margaret's career as a librarian spanned nearly three decades. She believed passionately that access to books and knowledge was a fundamental right, not a privilege. Her children's reading programme became a model for libraries across Scotland, introducing thousands of young readers to the world of stories. In retirement, Margaret turned her attention to her beloved garden and to watercolour painting. Her garden in Morningside became something of a local landmark, and neighbours would often find anonymous bunches of flowers left on their doorsteps — Margaret's quiet way of spreading beauty. After Robert's passing in 2017, Margaret poured her memories into a family memoir — a gift to her grandchildren so they would know the love story that had shaped their family. She continued to walk, to read, to garden, and to gather people around her table until her final days. Margaret passed away peacefully at home on 12 March 2024, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her children David and Sarah, her grandchildren Emma, James, and Lily, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness, her stories, and her unwavering belief in the good in people.