THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised in memory of much-loved nurse.

Margaret George died on December 19 last year after a six-month battle with cancer, and finally a sudden brain aneurysm.

Tributes have since been paid to the town’s longest-serving health visitor who looked after patients for more than 22 years.

Margo, as she was known to her husband Ron, and Maggie to her friends, worked at Andover hospital, and in her time she worked on all the wards and the hospice on site.

The 61-year-old also worked at St John’s Hospital in the town.

She then went onto work as a community nurse, then a health visitor from St Mary’s Surgery and a number of the practices around the town, eventually being based at Tidbury Farm, where all of Andover’s health visitors are currently stationed.

In her many fields of health work, she served for over 42 years as a nurse treating thousands of patients with a host of aliments.

Margo’s funeral took place at St John the Baptist Catholic Church on January 11.

Ron, who was married to Margo for 39 years, said: “The church at Margo’s funeral was packed to the rafters, and some people had to stand outside.”

At the funeral and the wake at Andover Golf Club, around £2,500 was raised in donations from family, friends and colleagues for two memorial seats, with the residue donated to the Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

Ron has arranged to present the funds in the coming months.

Speaking about his wife, Ron said: “Margo spent much time on charitable events, helping people and the many messages of support noting Margo’s many acts of kindness and charity would break any heart.

“In and out of work Margo will be remembered for her generosity, humility, fun, compassion, positivity and warmth. She was a beautiful person in every way, and a natural nurse to us all.”

At Margo’s funeral, one of her colleagues described her as “the kindest and gentlest person you could ever hope to work alongside”.

They added: “Colleagues tell of times when they would find bunches of flowers on their car windscreens or on their doorstep after personal challenges or little texts sent when you were least expecting it. She found time for anyone who needed it.

”Maggie was essentially one of a kind, spirited in every way; forever smiling and positive. Always with a solution to a problem and the first person to recognise when someone was struggling.

"Her support of us all was immeasurable, staff and families, and she will remain in our hearts forever.”

Margo is survived by Ron, their three sons, a brother, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and two long-standing girlfriends