The passing of Margaret Maher (Jackson) at Newcastle marks the end of an era for a family that has been Pakenham stalwarts.
Married to the late Mickey Maher, Margaret was aged 92 – the youngest and last of the 14 children of James John and Margaret Annie Jackson (Sutton) who ran a general store and bakery in the main street for many years.
The family was strong on sport and community, especially football and netball – then known as basketball – with the Ray “Cracker” Jackson stand at the Pakenham Football Club as an ongoing tribute.
Margaret Maher grew up in Pakenham and played netball for the town in the late 1940s, but was also part of a women’s football match at Lang Lang.
Lang Lang played Pakenham with Collingwood’s legendary player and later coach Phonse Kane as an umpire, together with fellow player and later captain Gordon Hocking.
It was to raise money for a Queen carnival to build a hall in Pakenham.
There was a strong Jackson connection at Lang Lang, with one of James John Jackson’s brothers, James and Gert Jackson (Kenyon), living there.
The Jackson family have long been associated with Pakenham netball – Lorna Anderson, Marie Levey, Dorothy Rogers, Joyce Reid and Margaret played for many years, along with Roma Jackson (Reid).
Margaret and Mickey Maher spent most of their lives in New South Wales – in outer Sydney and later at Newcastle.
They had three children – Garry (deceased), Cheryl Thomas and Julie Saville.
Her exuberance and love for life will be so deeply missed by everyone.
