Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Emily Mary Ann Birtchnell 1872-1947 Emily was born on 10th February 1872 in Berkhamsted, and grew up in Highfield Road with her seven siblings, and parents. Her father, William was a master stonemason, and her mother Mary Ann (nee Potter) a former brush maker. By the age of 21 Emily had moved to Hastings, where she was a domestic maid in the house of lodging keeper Mrs Catherine Madden. She returned to Berkhamsted, and continued to work as a domestic servant, in the house of the widowed Elizabeth Wright at 40 Charles Street. By 1911, Emily had moved on again, this time to work as the cook for architect Arthur Messer and his wife Jessie in Woking. In later life Emily lived in Berkhamsted with Florence Birtchnell, the widow of her youngest brother Harold, who died at just 35 years of age. She continued to work, but now in a chemical laboratory. Emily died on 6th March 1947.