The script as published in the expensive little paperback book specified that the headstone was to have read 1920-1971. It seems to me that this is another instance of the director and the props people not expecting viewers to look nearly as closely at the show as most of us do.
Marianna
I have the 1976 paperback with scripts from the pilot and series one.
I would say these are the original scripts, written before the episodes were actually made. The scripts slightly differ to the actual recorded episode.
However, in MY book the headstone is described as reading 'Edith Clegg 1909-1971'!
Can you check your book again please?
Bearing in mind this was the pilot, and was specifically designed to be about three old men, this would imply Clegg should be somewhere around 62.
You could still be considered redundant at 62.
It's worth remembering the part was always written with Peter Sallis in mind, who would only have been about 51 then.
Personally, when I watch the programme, I try to convince myself it says 1920, as it looks a bit like that, and it fits in with First of the Summer Wine, and the real ages of Sallis and most of the cast, including later LOTSW stars.