Hundreds mourn K Rd's Margaret

Julie Cook described her sister, Margaret Hofmann, as a broken vessel but a beautiful person. Photo / Greg Bowker

As one mourner described her, Karangahape Rd identity Margaret was like the Queen - she had only one name.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle in Queen St yesterday to farewell one of downtown Auckland's best-known street identities, Margaret Hofmann.

For more than two decades she was known to most simply as Margaret and could be found sitting on a bench on K Rd and in earlier years, Ponsonby Rd, asking passers-by for a cigarette and bus money.

She is understood to have died in her sleep over the Easter weekend. She was 62.

At her funeral yesterday, people from all walks of life - in tailored suits and with painted nails, to teenagers in colourful hats and dreadlocks - paid their respects.

A simple pine-coloured coffin, draped with a pink bouquet, sat at the front of the altar.

Hanging behind was a large fur coat, a bottle of wine and a packet of cigarettes placed neatly in front, as classical music played.

Former pastor of the church and long-time friend Marjorie Gibson called on those in the congregation to find a stranger to share their memories of Margaret with.

Younger sister Julie Cook paid an emotional tribute to a sister she said had been through a lot of pain growing up.

"We talked about our dreams and things ... we talked about going to London.

"She was just a broken vessel [but] a beautiful person."

Ms Cook cried as she spoke of her sister's alcohol problem and called on people to support those with such addictions and for more support for those with mental illness.

Other mourners remembered Margaret for her wit and humour.