The funeral will be at Golders Green Crematorium, in the West Chapel, at 11 am on Monday September 8th.

Margaret was given a good send-off by family, friends and former colleagues.  A grandson gave a reading and John Grist delivered a "Reminiscence".  This is his text (except that John varied slightly from the written version, especially at the beginning):

When she was 17 in 1951 Margaret joined a BBC that had done magnificently for the country in radio during the war but did not know how to deal with television.

So it had the simple idea of recruiting young men from the forces, from the theatre, film, and from the Universities, paying them miserable wages, housing them in appalling buildings, failing to give them sufficient equipment, giving them too little money and sending them as far as possible from Broadcsting House to Alexandra Palace and West London.  Hoping fervently that it might go away.

The result of this became known as the Golden Age of Television.  Margaret was right there, in the Lime Grove branch, in Shepherds Bush.

She was the production secretary, the Princess of Panorama, the right hand of the producer in the gallery, in the office, the wiper of noses, the stroker of egos, the calmer of the frightened and the corrector of the inept.  The woman who had to know everything and then next morning be first in the office to do the paperwork and clear up the emotional and physical wreckage of the night before.  She always maintained that with ten minutes of rehearsal time left, the Radio Times would ring up for next week's billing.  'In 20 minutes please'.

She was a phenomenon.  It was the qualities she carried thoughout her long career.  Cool, efficient, meticulous, hard working, beautiful manners, no side, and cheerful.  I remember a giggling Margaret and Joy Curtis being pointed out as the Panorama Girls in the canteen at Lime Grove.  They were about 22 or 23.  The Editor was 25.  And there was one poor old chap who was over 30.

It was an exciting time, inspired by the belief that anything was possible.  With Richard Dimbleby as the star, it muust have felt like being at the centre of the universe on Monday nights.  It was a macho world. Although driven by Mrs Grace Wyndham Goldie, it was no place for faint hearts.  The big beasts of the time would go through, rather than round a problem.  Margaret as always was the quiet, calm centre of non-aggression.

After experience with the Talks departments she had hoped to go into the drama department but Mike Peacock persuaded her to stay in Talks, later to be called Current Affairs.

it was an important decisiosn because for the next 40 years she was involved for the BBC with politics, politicians and the political parties.  She knew them all, from Macmillan to Mandelson, from Rab Butler to Tony Blair.  She went to every party conference for 20 years, mainly as Editor.  She enjoyed it all, even the boring bits.  It was a hobby, as well as work.

Although slight of build and quietly spoken she was no pushover; neither for the politicians nor the TV stars.  A producer who worked with her during this period told me:

"She was the only person who could shut Robin Day down."  As many of you here today will remember, Robin did go on a bit.  In the end, when she could bear no more, she would look at him squarely and say, "No, Robin, no," quietly, like saying "Down, Rover" and Robin would shamble off.

Because of her experience, it was no surprise when Alasdair Milne helped her through the glass ceiling and asked her to become his Chief Assistant, an important post at the very centre of the BBC.  Every senior person in the organisation has a department or a network or a budget and a sphere of influence, but the Chief Assistant has no logs to roll; the only job, to advise the Director General, particularly on political affairs, even when he might feel he did not need advice.  Hugh Greene described his Chief Assistants, Harman Grisewood and Oliver Whitely, as "the conscience of the BBC".

Margaret occupied this post for Alasdair, Michael Checkland and John Birt.  The first two she saw every morning, five days a week.

One of Margaret's valuable qualities was discretion.  All I know about this period is what Alasdair wrote and Mike Checkland told me about her work.

I can give you one picture that I happened to see when John Birt was DG.

In the prolonged negotiations for the televising of Parliament, Margaret represented the customers:  BBC, ITV, Channel Four and Sky.  I was working for the Select Committee.

I went to see Margaret in her office at Broadcasting House.  Sat down.  Margaret said to the secretary, "No phone calls, please."  After three or four minutes, the phone went.  Margaret said "excuse me," picked up the phone.  I heard her end.  "Yes, John.  No, John.  I quite understand, John.  Of course, of course."  She put the phone down and said:  "Well, there is one thing he can't do and that is cope with David Owen."

She was right in among the many major rows of the eighties, especially with Margaret Thatcher and other threats to the independence and political freedom of the BBC.  Alisdair Milne says she was marvellous and Mike Checkland told me on the phone she was priceless -  he remembers her strength and steadfastness.  She became more steelly - she had to, because the attacks were often vicious.

During General Elections, which are trying but essential ordeals for the BBC, the Chief Assistant was the last stop for queries before the Director General.  Margaret was known and trusted by front-line BBC journalists all over the country.  One reporter from the North of England told me:  "When it gets really nasty and they, the political parties, are threatening you with the Tower and the loss of your job, Margaret was the only one who listened, made you feel better, and then told you what you could do."

Margaret was always a success.  She rose as a result of her intelligence and ability.  A principled, precise and precious woman of the BBC.  A star in her own right.

St Bride's was full for Margaret's memorial service. One of the readings was given by Sir Michael Checkland, who prefaced it with this recollection of Margaret:

Margaret Douglas was political adviser to three Director-Generals of the BBC - three of sharply contrasting style, character and temperament:  Alasdair Milne, myself and for a short time John Birt.  That all three of us listened to and respected the quality of the advice Margaret offered us is itself a great tribute to her personal qualities and her political skills.

She oversaw the BBC's relations with all political parties at Westminster, in often boisterous times - but then, they always are - and she handled the often sensitive issue of party election broadcasts and the introduction of television cameras into Parliament.  How effective her relations were with politicians was clearly shown by the respect and warmth with which she was greeted when members of the cabinet or shadow cabinet and other members of the both Houses came to the regular weekly lunches which she arranged for the Director General (who, of course, was often less warmly greeted).

In my time as Director General I met Margaret each morning to review the current media and political issues.  It was a great way to start the day - no flapping, just calm, sensible analysis delilvered with humour, insight and integrity - and the occasional gossip.

Sometimes her advice was brief.  I recall attending my first Select Committee hearing and asking Margaret whether there was anything in particular which I should know.  She smiled and said "Just answer the questions".

Coming out after a gruelling session in a hot Committee Room I asked whether she thought a little more briefing would have been helpful.  Again, she smiled and said "Why?  You answered the questions."

This is taken from The Times:

A thanksgiving service for the life and work of Margaret Douglas was held on Thursday January 29 at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.

Canon David Meara, rector, officiated. Sir Michael Checkland read the lesson.

Baroness Boothroyd, OM, read an extract from The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare and Ms Jennifer Jeremy read If I Should Go Before the Rest of You by Joyce Grenfell. Mr Peter Knowles, controller, BBC Parliament, read a reflection. Sir Paul Fox paid tribute.

Among others present were: Mr David Jones, Ms Jean P. Jones, Mr and Mrs Guy Lancaster, Mr and Mrs John Lancaster, Mrs S. M. Potter, Mrs David Atherton, with other members of the family.

Lady Checkland, Lord Howe of Aberavon, CH, QC, Lord Corbett of Castle Vale, Baroness Jay of Paddington, Lord Lawson of Blaby, Lord McNally, Lady Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Dame Patricia Hodgson, Sir David Nicholas, Sir Michael Davies, Mr Peter Bottomley, MP.

Ms Denise Dowson, Ms Jan Fairer, the Hon Mrs Jennifer Fellows, Ms Sheila Megran, Mrs Patsy Quinn, Mrs J. W. Coleman, Mrs Pamela Freeman, Mrs Carmel Spicer, Mr John Beveridge, Miss Sally Carr, Mr John Carrington, Ms Shirley Coward, Mrs Jennifer Davies, Mr and Mrs Denis Doble, Mr Peter Dunkley, Mrs Lucy Dunn-Sims, Ms Patricia Elston, Mr David Errock, Mr Geoffrey Goodman, Ms Angela Harris, Miss Nina Hooper, Ms Constance Howarth, Mr and Mrs James Hughes, Mr and Mrs David Hughes, Mr N. L. Hutton, Ms Gill Kavanagh, Ms Patricia McLernon, Mr and Mrs Tony Miles, Dr Peter Odgers, Mr Tom Ross, Ms Janet Stone, Ms Helen Todd, Mr John Williams.

Ms Amanda Ashton, Dr Chitra Barucha, Mr David Jordan, Mr Andrew Marr, Mr Robert Seatter, Ms Maryse Addison, Mr John Allen, Ms Linda Anderson, Ms Amanda Ashton, Mr Alan Ashton, Ms Maggie Bebbington, Mr Simon Betts, Mr Philip Campbell, Ms Virginia Carington, Ms Toni Charlton, Mrs Dawn Clark, Mr John Dekker, Miss Jean Dyball, Mr Neil Eccles, Dr Suzanne Franks, Miss Paddy Fraser, Ms Linda Parker, Ms Heather Scott, Mr Roy Scotton, Mr Alex Thomas, Ms Janine Thomason, Mr Roy Walters, Ms Jennifer White, Mr Richard Ayre, Mr Dick Bates, Mr Paul Bonner, Mr George Carey, Mr Stephen Claypole, Mr Keith Clement, Mr and Mrs John Cole, Mr Tony Crabb, Mr Brian Curtois, Mr Tim Gardam, Mr John Gau, Mr John Grist, Mr Philip Harding, Mr Michael Hodder, Mr David Holmes, Mr Howell James, Mr Nicholas Jones, Ms Barbara Maxwell, Mr John McCormick, Dr Bryce McCrirrick, Ms Caroline Millington, Mr Edward Mirzoeff, Mr Ronald Neil.

Mr Tim Orchard, Mr Ian Phillips. Miss Monica Sims, Mr and Mrs Peter Sissons, Dr Geraint Stanley Jones. Dr Andrew Taussig, Mr Norman Taylor, Mr Johnny Wilkinson, Miss Barbara Hosking, Mr Keith McDowall, Ms Barbara Long, Mr Douglas Millar, Ms Mary Morgan, Miss Liz Murray, Mr Peter Wynne Davies, Mr Eric Bowman, Mr Brian Clifford, Mr Bob Eggington, Mr Robert Elphick, Mrs Barbara Freeth, Ms Dinah Garrett, Ms Anne Hanford, Mrs Rosemary Haynes, Ms Katie Kaye, Ms Barbara Kerr, Mrs Anne Latham, Mr Alan Macdonald, Mr Peter Pagnamenta, Mr Ian D. Richardson, Mr Peter Rosier, Mr Bernard Tate, Ms Kath Worrall, Miss Elsie Christie, Mr and Mrs Robert Rowland, Professor Jean Seaton, Mr Donald MacCormick, Mr Michael Cockerell, Mr Richard Tait, Ms Sue Inglish, Mr Timothy Jeffes, Ms Lynda Young, Mr Richard Lindley (VLV) with many other friends and former colleagues.