The 88-year-old matriarch died at Dubbo Base Hospital on Christmas Day. She had been undergoing treatment for heart and kidney disease.

Mrs Hoffman (nee Meek) played a significant role in local community and civic affairs for more than half a century.

Born in the Sydney suburb of Manly, she moved to Dubbo in the early years of World War II soon after marrying Eddie Meek.

The couple built a home in Tamworth Street and Margaret devoted herself to family while Eddie forged a career with the PMG and became a driving force in local government, serving on Dubbo Municipal Council and Dubbo City Council from 1958 to 1980.

“Nan took great pride in all matters of a civic nature and watched Dubbo grow from a population of 7000 to an important regional centre,’’ grandson Mark Barnes said yesterday.

“She always made time for community work and assisted the ambulance service for many years.’’

Margaret and Eddie had two children, Barry and Diane.

Barry trained to be a teacher and died in a road accident in 1969 while travelling from Broken Hill to attend family Christmas celebrations in Dubbo.

Diane, a successful businesswoman and mother, followed in her father’s footstep as a Dubbo City Councillor.

“Nan had a wonderful spark and great interest in life,’’ Mr Barnes said.

“She had many stories to tell and experienced a great deal. She was in Sydney when Japanese midget submarines attacked the harbour and marvelled at television images while Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.’’

Eddie Meek died in the early 1980s and Margaret later married Tom Hoffman. The couple moved to Foster but returned to Dubbo four years later.

“Nan missed Dubbo and her family and friends,’’ Mr Barnes said.

“She lived a full life but endured much sadness, losing two husbands, a son and a daughter.

“Diane died in 2003 and Tom followed not long after.

“Nan never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She had a genuine love of people and was always the life of the party.

“In her latter years she moved to the Orana Gardens retirement complex. She met some wonderful people there and felt very much at home, continuing her interests of bowls and cards.’’

Mrs Hoffman is survived by her brother Stuart, son-in-law Gary, grandchildren Mark, Scott, Grant and Nicki and 11 great-grandchildren.

Her 11am funeral service will be followed by interment at Western Districts Memorial Park.