‘Well-loved’ Burgess Hill resident dies, aged 100

Peggy was the widow of the Rev Canon Alan Spray, a previous vicar of St Andrew’s Church, Burgess Hill, and also earlier widow of John Norman whose family business, Norman and Burt, was established in Burgess Hill in 1862 by his grandfather, Simeon Norman.

The firm was well known for restoring Wren churches in London after World War II and built many substantial properties in Sussex, including St Andrew’s in 1908.

Born in Reigate in October 1919, Margaret Ruth Lilley, always known as Peggy, the eldest of three sisters, went to school in Redhill.

Their father served in the cavalry in World War I after which he set up shops as grazier and butcher.

Peggy often related how she tried to ride a cow – she was always an active and adventurous child!

WWII interrupted her training to be a PE teacher and she joined the Red Cross working at St Anne’s, Redhill, Zachary Merton Hospital, Banstead, Stoke Mandeville and, finally, at St Dunstan’s home for wounded servicemen in Ovingdean where she met John Norman through a patient.

Peggy and John were married in Reigate in 1947 and soon moved into the Burgess Hill family home, originally built by John for his widowed mother, where they brought up their two children.

They both attended St Andrew’s regularly and participated in local activities, with Peggy particularly enjoying tennis with friends.

In her fifties and sixties she ran a keep-fit class twice a week - giving up only when she realised she was the oldest in the class!

She also volunteered on a regular basis at Cuckfield Hospital.

After she was widowed in 1987 Peggy continued her voluntary and caring work, particularly at church and, in February 1993 at the age of 73, she married the Rev Canon Alan Spray, the vicar at St Andrew’s who had recently lost his wife.

They lived at Peggy’s family home for 20 years before moving to The College of St Barnabas in Lingfield where they celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary in 2018.

Peggy and Alan remained together until Alan’s death in July 2019, shortly before Peggy’s 100th birthday.

She sadly contracted coronavirus recently and died on April 30.

With her love of life, her caring attitude, her sense of humour and her fits of giggles, Peggy was well-loved by her family and many friends.

She leaves behind her son Peter, daughter Wendy, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren, all of whom will miss her very much.

A service in Celebration of her Life is to be held at St Andrew’s at a later date.