WICKHAMFORD, DEATH OF MISS EMPEY
We regret to announce the death on New Year’s Day of Miss Emily Empey after a week’s illness.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev J Jeffreys, took place on Monday. Mr T Knight presided at the organ and Miss Empey’s favourite hymn “Abide with Me” and the Ninc Dimittia were sung by the choir. Messrs N Haines, J Colley, C Summers and C Willis acted as bearers. There were many beautiful floral tributes.
Among those present in church were Mr & Mrs E Cooke (representing the Badsey, Wickhamford and Aldington Nursing Association, Mr & Mrs Collett, Mrs George Cox, Mr & Mrs Jack Drysdale, Miss Vera Lawley, Mr & Mrs Pearce, Mrs Hancock, Mrs Tattersall, Mrs Shuter, Nurse Holbrook, Mr & Mrs Lees-Milne, Mr J Lees-Milne, Miss Naomi Heather, Mrs George Agg, Mr E Hall.
Mrs Kellett, Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Mott and Miss Alice Fisher were unable to be present owing to weather conditions.
AN APPRECIATION
Miss Emily Empey, who died at Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, on January 1, was for very many years a well-known and well-loved figure in the village. She and her elder sister, Miss Milly Empey, who died eight years ago, came to Wickhamford in 1908. For longer than a generation, the two sisters, inseparable companions, devoted all their energies and interests to the village. For those who knew them it is almost impossible to think of one without the other.
After the death of the elder sister, Miss Emily Empey, always the shyer and more retiring of the two, was not seen about so often. Nevertheless, it was seldom that she, a devoted churchgoeer, missed the Sunday service at Wickhamford Church, for she belonged to the old school that passionately believed in loyalties and a sense of duty. They were best expressed in a constant urge to help her country, her fellows and friends. Throughout the war she steadfastly worked for her War Savings Group, and continued her lifelong interest in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Finally, Emily Empey retained the lasting confidence and affection of her friends, who cherished her gentle wisdom, her broad tolerance and, above all, her unfailing brisk humour.