The funeral of Maureen Ann Butcher, who was always known as Ann, took place on April 4th, 2018.

Ann was born in Ross-on-Wye on August 17th, 1932 and lived in the area all her life, she never married but had many friends, through her work, and through her hobby of campanology, bellringing. Two former schoolfriends attended the service as well as many people she had worked with, including Michael Winch. Ann had been a legal secretary and then worked with Michael at the Georgian Rooms before she retired to look after her parents. He told the Ross Gazette: “She was a superb secretary.”

More than 70 people attended her funeral at the Forest of Dean Crematorium, many of them bell ringers from far and wide, who had known Ann through their shared interest. She had been presented with a special certificate to mark her 50 year’s membership of the Bellringers Guild.

Ann was also well known because she had worked in the family business, Gardner Butcher, on the site in Brookend Street where the Aldi store is now.

Family friend, Donald Davies, told the Ross Gazette that she would have hated to be at the centre of any fuss. Donald said: “She was a very straight person, no meant no and yes meant yes. She was a volunteer at the Cancer Research shop in Ross for many years, but gave up when they started selling new products as she was opposed to this. She felt it was a move against the traders in the town.”

Ann had given strict instructions for her funeral and underlined that she did not want a eulogy. The Reverend Colin Leggate, who led the service, said that he was abiding by her instructions, but would give an address, not a eulogy.

During the service the Bellringers Hymn was played which was an emotional moment. The hymns, which Ann had chosen were ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds’ and ‘My God, how wonderful Thou art’ and the reading was from Romans 8 verses 31 - 39.

Donations in memory of Ann are being collected for Hereford Diocesan Guild Bell Restoration Fund and may be sent to William Bevan Funeral Directors in Ross-on-Wye.