Margaret Lambourn, the second-oldest living person in New Zealand, passed away on 14 June 2026 at the age of 110 years, 346 days, less than one month before her 111th birthday.
Lambourn was born in Leeds, England, UK on 3 July 1915 to parents Florence and John Heseltine. She trained as a nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where she met her future husband, Alan.
They married in 1938, before moving to Egypt where Alan served with the Garrison Engineers in Ismailia. After two years, they were forced to leave for South Africa. In Durban, South Africa, she worked as a waitress at the Victoria League before applying for repatriation to England. She returned during the second phase of the rocket attacks, where she and Alan had two more children, Michael and Andrew.
After World War II, they moved to Kuwait, where her husband worked as the Chief Architect for Kuwait Oil Company, while Margaret ran a nursery school. In 1972, they moved to New Zealand.
Margaret Lambourn was the second-oldest living person in New Zealand, behind 112-year-old Aileen Kars. Lambourn was only the 11th New Zealander to celebrate their 110th birthday and is currently the fourth-oldest known person to have lived in New Zealand.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Margaret Lambourn during this difficult time.
