The Community of Blackwood Uniting extends its sympathy and affections to Carys and Ian Penny on the death of Carys’ Mum Margaret Knauerhause [nee Kiek], aged 102, on July 19th, whilst Carys and Ian were away overseas.

In a “Pastoral Note” to the Church the Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer noted that “Margaret and her family have contributed significantly to the mission and ministry of the church in South Australia”. Margaret’s own parents figure in our history, her mother Winifred being the first ordained woman to lead a church in our State and her father, Edward, having been the Principal of Parkin College.

With a career of many years as a teacher at Methodist ladies College, Margaret was also a playwright, poet, hymn-writer, Secretary of the Congregational Woman’s Society, and later President. Margaret was made a life member of Australian Church Women and served on its national Executive.

A memorial service to remember her and honour her contribution will be held at Colonel Light Gardens on Saturday.

We join Carys and Ian in marking her life of service and the sadness that this is for the extended family.