An appeal has been launched to locate the next of kin of Margaret Ellen ‘Peggy’ Murdoch, an 81-year-old woman who died in hospital on 9 April 2026 without any known relatives coming forward.
Margaret Murdoch passed away in hospital on 9 April after residing in nursing homes in Hillsborough and Lisburn. She had previously lived on Wilson Street in Lisburn and at Seacash Walk in Antrim. Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors, acting on behalf of the South Eastern Trust, issued the appeal after no family members were identified following her death.
The funeral directors stated they do not know her personal circumstances beyond the fact that she had a twin brother who predeceased her. They emphasized that anyone related to her or who knew her deserves the opportunity to mark her passing.
Neighbour Maimie Smith, who knew Margaret for 17 years in Antrim, described her as “particularly witty” and said conversations with her were always “a joke or something.” Margaret was known for her cats, one named Leo, whom she would call at teatime each day. She often left her windows open for her cats to enter, regardless of the season.
In a lighthearted anecdote shared by Pastor Bobby, Margaret once approached him while he was cutting grass and asked, “Does your wee dog like chicken?” When he replied yes, expecting her to offer chicken to his dog, she responded, “My cat loves chicken too,” and walked away.
No funeral arrangements have been finalised. The South Eastern Trust will make arrangements if no next of kin come forward. The public funeral is being planned by Ronnie Thompson Funeral Directors in response to significant public interest.