R.I.P Margaret of K Rd

Photo by Stephen Hardy

She sat outside Verona or St Kevins arcade, asking for change or a ciggie, for 28 years (source). She passed away in her sleep, according to staff at Alleluyah. Have had her passing confirmed by someone from K Rd Business Association. Apparently she lived in Parnell and used to take to bus to K Rd every day.

ADDED Sofia Mella from K Rd shop Tattooed Heart has written a tribute to Margaret on their blog.

TV3 news item on Margaret - watch here. More on the story from Stuff.co.nz
Her last name was Hofman. A service is planned for next Tuesday at the Baptist Tabernacle, at the top of Queen St.

ADDED Found a messsage board with tales of Margaret, posted in 2009...

"  took Margaret to the Casino once after she kept questioning me about what it was like...she got all dressed up, but when we got there they wouldnt let her in, because one of the bouncers knew her...There was quite a fuss, as I demanded to speak to a supervisor...eventually they let us in, on the proviso that I was responsible for her...waste of time, as we were there 5 mins, when she suddenly realised that you couldnt smoke in there...LMAO...so we went & ate Burgerking instead, before walking home! "

"Margaret was never a model...she was however, one of Aucklands "it" girls, in the 1950,s...racing about town in a sportscar, drinking at all the upmarket supper clubs...she comes from a wealthy family! She has been married, & has had a child, who died at a young age...this tragedy split her marriage up...I was told all this by an elderly friend who knew her in those days...I asked her about it once, & she nodded her head, then told me "its in the past, I dont want to talk about it".. "