Hackney community stalwart dies aged 104

One of Hackney’s oldest residents has passed away at the age of 104.

Margaret ‘Molly’ Carleton, from Church Crescent, Hackney Wick, was a lifelong charity fundraiser awarded an MBE in 2000 for her services to Prideaux House, which provides help and activities for elderly people.

Born in 1910, Ms Carleton was a nurse until 1972 when she moved to Hackney and became a volunteer at Prideaux House in Church Crescent, South Hackney.

While she was there, her activities varied from running the charity shop and managing the office to travelling to West Malling Refugee Camp in Kent to help Ugandan Asians fleeing the persecution of Idi Amin in 1973.

In later life, Ms Carleton was a keen photographer and reader while still remaining up to date with modern technology. Friends say up until the end she would email her friends around the world and download her favourite novels on her Kindle.

Reverend Gulater Rose de Mello, a former trustee of Prideaux House said Ms Carleton believed “one is never too old to feel young.

She said: “Molly, we salute you, your resilience, fortitude and courage in the 42 years service you have given to the people of Hackney.”