Leave your tribute to Maggie via the form at the bottom of this story.
Tributes have poured in for a beloved landlady whose “untimely” death has shocked the community.
Margaret ‘Maggie’ Sturgess, 61, landlady at the Derehams Inn, Loudwater, was at the heart of the community, having owned the pub for more than two decades.
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Before buying the pub with husband Graham, she was a landlady at two other High Wycombe pubs – the former Half Moon, in Dashwood Avenue, and the former Rose & Crown, in Wooburn Green.
The couple bought the Derehams Inn as a free house in 1998.
Her daughter Lizzie told the Bucks Free Press Mrs Sturgess collapsed in the car park of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, suffering a stroke.
She sadly passed away on Tuesday (December 1) in the intensive care unit at Stoke Mandeville and has donated her organs to help those in need.
Lizzie said: “It was instant. She wouldn’t have felt any pain. The staff were amazing, and we thank them dearly for the care, dignity and respect they have shown mum and our family.
“Due to their quick actions we were able to be able to donate her organs, which has given us so much comfort in her passing.”
Mrs Sturgess was born Margaret Fay Backhouse at the Salvation Army hospital in Hackney on April 8, 1959.
She moved to High Wycombe as a schoolgirl in 1969, where she attended the former Wellesbourne Secondary School and lived in Hazlemere with her family.
Lizzie said her mother was a “happy child, always helping others”.
She worked at Hughes of Beaconsfield as a receptionist in her late teens, and was there until she took over the Half Moon pub in the early 80s.
Mrs Sturgess met her husband Graham in 1992 through a mutual friend when she worked as a barmaid at the now demolished Royal Oak, in Great Kingshill, and they married on February 13, 1993.
Lizzie said her mother believed in giving back to the local community and was proud the Derehams Inn became listed as an Asset of Community Value in 2015.
She said: “She threw a free Halloween party for the local kids, which had a free ice cream van, sweets and a disco, as she wanted to spread joy to local kids – plus she loved ice cream!
“She loved life, was always up for a laugh and put others first before herself.
“She has left a massive gap in our lives, but we have so many memories to look back on and laugh.”
To mark Mrs Sturgess’ life, her family will be asking people to donate a ‘meal for Mags’ to the One Can Trust food bank.
Lizzie added: “Also, the intensive care staff at Stoke Mandeville will be creating an Amazon wish list in her memory of stuff the staff want, and things that will benefit the patients and their families.
“The wish list was something mum wanted to do before she died but never got round to doing so.”
Hundreds of tributes poured in on the pub’s Facebook page, with regulars expressing their shock and grief at the much-loved landlady’s sudden death.
One customer wrote: “So very sad to hear this terrible news. Maggie was a lovely lady and we are all thinking of Graham and the family. With love from the ladies that came to lunch every Friday lunchtime,” while another said: “What shocking and heartbreaking news, I am so very sorry for your loss.
“When we first moved to Wycombe, Maggie was one of the first people we met as we regularly went to the Derehams Inn.
“She was such a lovely lady, told us all the best places to go in Wycombe, she introduced us to Davies Brothers for our garden plants and she cooked the very best Sunday roast dinner we have ever had in a pub.
“Sending our heartfelt sympathy to you all on your tragic loss.”
Many pub-goers spoke of Maggie’s generosity and welcoming nature, with one writing: “Nearly 20 years have passed since I first stepped inside the Derehams, however I’ll always remember the warm welcome afforded to us by Maggie.
“A brilliant host, fantastic publican and most importantly of all a lovely lady.”
And another said: “All our love to you all. RIP Maggie – the greatest landlady we ever met.”
Maggie and Graham had a holiday home in Cyprus, with tributes also coming in from the Greek island.
A resident wrote: “So very sorry and shocked to hear this terribly sad news. This lovely lady will be remembered by so many and not just in the UK.
“A lot of us in cyprus were lucky enough to have spent lovely times with her and been touched by her kindness condolences to all.”
Mrs Sturgess leaves behind two biological children – Lizzie, 35, and Daniel, 36 – and two stepchildren, Paul and Simone, as well as three grandchildren – Finlay, three months, and Sienna and Sophie, both aged two.
She also has three step-grandchildren, Laura, Toni and Ashley, and great-grandson Levi, as well as sprocker spaniels Rolo and Oreo.
Community answers
Book of condolences for Maggie Sturgess
"Whether you knew Maggie and want to share any stories or pictures, or you just want to send your thoughts, this is a space for you to pay tribute. Please know we will moderate content to ensure this remains a respectful space."
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Leave your tribute to Maggie hereDesperately sad to hear that lovely Maggie has died, such a warm and kind hearted person - one in a million. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Graham and all the family at this devastating time for them. RIP Maggie, you were one of the nicest people we ever met.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereTo Graham and family we are sorry to hear about Maggie our thoughts are with you love Maureen and Nigel ( mr and mrs Pastie )
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereSo so sad to hear of Maggie's passing, in the 40 yrs I've known her she has always been a friendly kind and generous person who will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Sincere condolences to Graham and the family. R. I. P. Mags.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereRIP Maggie. Love and condolences to everyone at the Derehams. You will be sadly missed. Thank you for welcoming us to your pub and being part of our world for the last 20 years.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereSo very sorry to hear this sad news Maggie was a lovely lady and my mum i used to see her often walking her dogs . We walked round the park with her just a few days ago she was so kind and lovely. Ted,June,Janet and Jacqui
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereNearly twenty years have passed since I first met Maggie in the Dereham’s and in the 20 years that have subsequently elapsed I’ve yet to meet a more hospitable landlady. A brilliant host, fantastic publican and most importantly of all a lovely lady. A more hard working landlady you will not find and Maggie was a pillar of the community. Having procured the Dereham’s Inn back in 1998, it speaks volumes that her former client base at the Rose & Crown actually switched watering hole allegiances by following her to Loudwater - indicative of the high regard Margaret was held in. When discovering this awful news earlier in the week, I was deeply shocked and saddened. Like many, I’ve been reflecting on Maggie’s kind and affable nature, her hospitality, her warmth, the community spirit that she exhibited over many years and like all great publicans her ability to throw a great party. I’m deeply saddened by her passing and I extend my deepest condolences to Graham, Lizzie, Dan and the wider family.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie, you always made us feel so welcome and your kindness and humanity shone brightly. You'll live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Rest in peace x
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie was such a special lady , so kind generous and warm hearted . Too many stories of her generosity to tell but she once dropped off a birthday cake to my house as I didn’t go in the pub that day . Provided a whole turkey served at the table for me and family over from Ireland to carve ourselves one Xmas and even dropped off 2 cases of beer at my door during lockdown as they were going out of date shortly, to mention just a few acts of kindness . Selfless to the end we will miss her smiling face greatly . Our thoughts and prayers go out to Graham Lizzy and Dan and their families . God bless you Mags RIP. Steve and Mandy xx
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereAs a former licencee I first met Maggie when she had the Half Moon.I have never met anyone so hard working and dedicated to the trade.Always cheerful ,she never changed in all the years I knew her.My condolences to Graham and family
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMyself & my parents send our condolences.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie was a truly wonderful person. She had arms that wrapped around every one of her patrons. Over 20 years of my life was shared with Maggie and I'll miss her terribly. The new year parties that in the past went on until she would make breakfast for those remaining. The opening just for you so you could sit and have a chat and a pint with her. Maggie's generosity knew no bounds and life without her won't be the same. A true gem of a lady.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereI sorry to hear the news and offer my deepest sympathies to Grahame and family. - Mik
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereWhat a lovely lady Maggie was, she did so much for people. Sundays were great with the food she did and the raffles. My late hubby Rod and I loved going there sunday lunchtimes. She will be greatly missed.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereWhen we first moved to Wycombe we visited all the local pubs and on a cold February afternoon Maggie welcomed us like old friends. Whenever we went to the pub she always asked after our family. She was a force of nature and out hearts go out to Graham, the children and grandchildren.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereDearest Maggie you did so much for so many people and made many smile thank you, rest now and put your feet up. God bless you.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereWe have known Maggie and Graham from the rose and crown days and you will never find a better host than them. Terrible, sad news, our thoughts are with Graham and family our love goes out to xx Colin and merise
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereSo shocked and saddened to hear this news. Maggie was such a welcoming host, kind and generous particularly on special occasions and very hard working at events such as the beer fest. She made the pub an important part of the Loudwater community through which I made many local friends. I will really miss her smile and sense of humour. RIP Maggie and kind thoughts to Graham, Lizzie and Daniel.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie always made sure she looked after everyone and often Greg took strays under her wing. A few years ago, after a few pints had been drunk, I took a tumble off a stool where my head found a corner. Maggie was first on the scene and after making sure the damage wasn’t too bad, turned the situation into a funny moment I will always remember. She attached a female product from the ladies range on top of the bandage, making the whole pub erupt in laughter. She was the first one to call me the next morning to make sure I was ok. She was truly a lovely lady and who could forget her legendary curried goat.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereHave been hoping all this horrible year that I could get back to visiting my brother Graham and sister-in-law Maggie that I have previously always done at least once a week and getting back to enjoying her fantastic Sunday Roast dinners that in my case were done for me as a takeaway. I know the boys, Sprockers, Rolo and Oreo, will miss her taking them for the after lunchtime walk. RIP Maggie, I like many others will miss you.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereWe are absolutely shocked and saddened by the news of Maggie's passing. Wonderful lady and Landlady, heart of The Derehams Inn, you will be missed but memories live on.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggs was one of the kindest ladies I knew, she would go out of her way to help others, working for her she made you feel part of the family and I was lucky enough to experience this for quite a few years. I am still so shocked and saddened. She will be so very missed xxxxx
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie was my mother in law and I was lucky enough to have known her for the past 10 years. I have never met anyone who put others needs before her own as much as her and she literally lived to run the Derehams and be there for her customers. She loved any excuse for fancy dress and had her own ever growing novelty collection of dressing up clothes and props for her parties which slowly took over her home. Her beer festivals, themed New Year’s Eve parties and weekly quiz nights will be remembered by many. She came into her element with the birth of her grandchildren and spoilt them rotten, they will miss their chocolate bunnies from nanny right before they eat their pub lunch I’m sure.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereVery sad to hear about Maggie. Remember her from Wellsbourne as I was in the same year as her sister so Mags one year below. She was also my boss at The Half Moon many years ago. Always cheery and had a very kind heart. RIP Maggie. 😪
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereShe was one in a million, always thought of others before herself, the best landlady I have ever met and called her my friend, she will be so sadly missed.
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereWe are all in shock here in Cyprus like many others, she will surley be missed such a kind thoughtful lady we are stuck for words our thoughts are with Graham & family may she R.I.P she will never be forgotton xxx🙏 ❤
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereI am so saddened to learn this. Maggie was a fantastic old school land lady who looked after her customers very well. I spent many lunch times and evenings after work in the derehams when I worked at the bucks free press from 2003 until 2017. She hosted a couple of my leaving do's and Birthday lunches during that time, and always insisted of putting on a small buffet for no charge when I changed jobs.... twice!! She always stacked out my prawn sandwiches until they were bursting and always made time to chat. She was a lovely person inside and out and although I haven't been in there for a few years, I know that when I do, it won't be the same without her. RIP Maggie... xxx
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMags was the most kindest, thoughtful ladies I have ever met. Always on hand to assist you in any way she could. The pub was a hub of happiness where people would go just to see Mags. I and many many more people will miss this lovely lady so much.. RIP MAGS. XXXXXX
Leave your tribute to Maggie here20 years my friend. 20 years,on and off, my boss. Maggie was the hardest working and most generous person, for her family and her customers. Her summer beer festivals were months in planning. Food, real ales, cocktails live entertainment and free lollies for the kids. Any child old enough to remember could not forget Halloween at the Derehams, food ,prizes, and the ice cream van. Mags always used to tell me that every child should be able to get whatever they want from an ice cream van just once. Maggie was always first in the queue! There is so much more i could say ,but, that is for me, and Maggies family. Maggie, thank you for everything,i will miss you. xx
Leave your tribute to Maggie hereMaggie you will be sorely missed by all of the local dominos teams, you always made us welcome. Our thoughts are with your husband Graham and family.
Book of condolences for Maggie Sturgess
Whether you knew Maggie and want to share any stories or pictures, or you just want to send your thoughts, this is a space for you to pay tribute. Please know we will moderate content to ensure this remains a respectful space.
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