TRIBUTES have been paid to Lady Emma Rashleigh, who has been described as a woman of "great faith and conviction".
The wife of Sir Richard Rashleigh, she died peacefully at home after an illness, aged 52.
A private funeral took place at Tregaminion Chapel, Menabilly, and a service of thanksgiving for her life is expected to take place on May 22.
Her husband, with whom she lived at the Menabilly Estate, said his wife, born Emma Felicity Clare McGougan, had once worked alongside Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street.
"Although modest in her assessment of her secretarial abilities, she succeeded in getting a job at the Central Office of the Conservative Party," he said, "and through a series of fortuitous moves found herself as one of the team of backroom secretaries working at 10 Downing Street when Mrs Thatcher became Prime Minister.
"She described herself as having the role of the office junior and as such could be asked to run errands for Mrs Thatcher such as nipping out to buy sausages for supper or being asked to pop something in the oven for Dennis and herself to have later.
"However, Emma dreamed of a life outside an office, even if that office was Number 10 Downing Street, and when an opportunity occurred she found herself heading out to Mount Earnslaw Sheep Station in New Zealand."
Although she fell in love with the country, Emma returned to England and was immediately offered her old job at Number 10.
She accepted, but it was not long before the call of the great outdoors became irresistible once more.
"This time she wanted to be a gardener and after writing a letter to the chairman of Kew Gardens – she always started at the top – she was amazed to get a reply and an introduction to Rosemary Verey, an internationally known English garden designer, lecturer and prolific garden writer who designed the famous garden at Barnsley House, near Cirencester.
"It was thanks to her that Emma learnt about plants, including their correct Latin names and good planting and husbandry."
She also became passionate about visiting gardens, and it was through this interest that she came down to Cornwall, where she met Sir Richard.
They were married in 1996 and had two children.
Another key aspect of Lady Rashleigh's life was her strong Christian faith, Sir Richard said, "from which everything else flowed. She trusted completely Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour and encouraged others with her faith.
"She adored all children and became particularly dedicated in the local church to leading children and youth work, and promoted a scheme to give a Children's Bible to every primary school pupil in the county."
Lady Rashleigh also worked to support couples in their marriages, running marriage enrichment courses and the Church's Alpha course.
Described by her husband as a greatly loved and cherished wife, mother, sister and friend, she is also survived by their son and daughter.
Mike Marshall, vicar at Holy Trinity Church, St Austell, spoke of a generous and creative woman who would be missed by many.
"A woman of great faith and conviction, she was ever ready to serve others," he said. "On numerous occasions she hosted, with her husband Sir Richard, Alpha suppers, youth adventure weekends and many other gatherings at their home in Menabilly.
"In the various stages of her final illness she maintained a vibrant confidence in God.
"It's remarkable that her death occurred just before the day of the year she loved most – Easter Sunday. The congregation in church that day were therefore able to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and all that meant for Emma, while grieving for her loss."
A service to celebrate the life of Lady Emma will take place at Holy Trinity Church , St Austell, on Wednesday, May 22, at 3pm.
