ONE of the few remaining village characters in Mawnan Smith, Lilian Maud Rickard, who met General Montgomery, has died at her home aged 81.

Maud worked hard and was a very contented woman throughout her life, but in line with her character let it be known that she wanted "a proper funeral" for her last ride through a village that held so many memories for her.

Her final wish was dutifully carried out by her son David and daughter-in-law Maxine. Maud was taken to the funeral service on a horse-drawn bier where a large gathering of villagers had awaited the family mourners.

Her final job on any given day was to go to the village shops and catch up on the day's news before, as people would say, "she put the village to bed", something she did until her final day. Not surprisingly, villagers turned out in force as a mark of respect to Maud as she, herself, was laid to rest - "put to bed in Mawnan Parish Church."

The service was conducted by the Rev C Pinchbeck and the Rev H Wallwork. The organist was Mrs P Benney and the funeral director was Keith Penrose.

Maud was born on October 21, 1922, the first daughter of Jack and Annie Sara, and died at the family home at Roscarrick on New Year's Eve, just a couple of feet from where she was born.

Maud went to school in the village with sisters Betty and Violet and spent much of the time at an early age with her father working at Rosmullion Farm.

When she was 14 she started work at the then newly-built Ferryboat Inn Hotel at Helford Passage and during the war years, General Montgomery stayed at the hotel. It was Maud's job to wait at his table and to keep his room clean and tidy.

It was also at the Ferryboat that she met Deacon, who was later to become her husband. During the war Deacon, who joined the Special Operations Service on the Helford River, rowed backwards and forwards from Helford village in all winds and weathers to see Maud.

They lived all their married life in Mawnan, moving twice during this time and in 1974 back to Roscarrick where they spent 17 happy years together until Deacon's death in 1991.

Maud continued to live at Roscarrick until her death. She was a founder member of Mawnan Mother's Union and this year would have completed 60 year's service.

Maud loved any yellow flowers which were very prominent in the many floral tributes and by many of the mourners who wore yellow buttonholes.

Maud is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, David and Maxine, grandchildren Annette and Deborah, and sister and brother-in-law Violet and George Evans.

Chosen bearers were Andrew and James Benney, Stephen Drew, and John Tremaine.

Family mourners: David and Maxine, son and daughter-in-law; Annette and Arty, Deborah and Matthew, granddaughters and partners; Violet and George Evans, sister and brother-in-law; Linda and Adrian Clarke, niece and husband; Joy McCloud and Philip, niece and partner; Beryl and Mawdie Maddison, cousins; Walter and Doris Keverne, Roy and Mary Mockett, Henry and Joyce Rickard, Douglas and Margaret Moore, Sheila Rickard, Robert and Cathy Andrew.