NELLIE HARNWELL LITTLEPORT villager, Nellie Harnwell, died recently, just one month short of her 97th birthday. Mrs Harnwell, of Laburnam Lodge, Littleport was born Nellie Knights in Sutton and moved with her mother to Ely at the age of six in 1916 while

NELLIE HARNWELL

LITTLEPORT villager, Nellie Harnwell, died recently, just one month short of her 97th birthday.

Mrs Harnwell, of Laburnam Lodge, Littleport was born Nellie Knights in Sutton and moved with her mother to Ely at the age of six in 1916 while her father was serving in the army in France. He was killed in action the following year.

Mother and daughter moved to a house in Bull Lane (now Lisle Lane) where Nellie lived until her marriage in 1960. She and her husband, John, moved to Willow Walk where they spent all their married life.

She was a very active member of the church and had charge of the Church Army canteen during the Second World War. She was also a Sunday School teacher and honorary member of the Mothers' Union and a fundraiser for the Children's Society.

Until her retirement at the age of 65, she worked for 44 years for the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds (now the Shepherds Friendly Society) and became well known to a large number of its members who were cared for by the East Anglian branch in Ely.

In April 1987, she received the Maundy Money from the Queen in Ely Cathedral for her services to the church.

Recognising her love and work for the church, her family interests and her work for the Shepherds Friendly Society, a large congregation gathered at St Peter's Church in Ely last Thursday for her funeral which was conducted by the Rev Alan Partridge, followed by internment in Ely Cemetery.