Generations of Christian Union members will remember Margaret Weston with affec-tion and gratitude. Her husband, Canon Keith Weston, was a widely-loved speaker in CUs and Margaret often travelled with him, making herself available to talk with students.
From 1964 to 1985, Keith was Rector of St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford. Margaret exercised a pastoral ministry among its students, as among members of the parish. The rectory was then amid some of the most deprived housing in the county.
Margaret graduated from London University then taught maths at Queen Anne’s College, Caversham. She was an accomplished violinist, with a great love and knowledge of the natural world, especially of flowers.
While widely gifted, Margaret focused on raising her family and supporting Keith. She exercised a quiet ministry in her own right, speaking at women’s meetings, or inviting people to talk over coffee. She brought clear-sighted practical advice, drawn from her own immersion in Scripture.
As Keith’s expository gifts became known, he would speak often at Keswick, later becoming its Chairman. Margaret encouraged him to accept invitations to Keswick satellite gatherings around the world, and would hold the fort at home. She was described in the thanksgiving service as shopping with care and thrift, and showing ‘fibre and guts’.
The Westons retired to Thame in 1991 and were active in their local church. Keith died in 2013. Their two sons, Stephen and Paul, are both ordained, Stephen in parish ministry and Paul in theological education; their older daughter Ruth serves with IFES, and Mary lectured until recently at Edgehill University.
