To not check work email on mat leave?

[Wingingthis]

Manager messaged me on Facebook a while back about coming to a team meeting in dec (halfway through my mat leave) as a way to keep in touch. I agreed and have messaged on Facebook since a few times just asking how things were etc. Then lockdown/tier 4 happened and I heard nothing more about the meeting.
She then announced at the begging of the meeting infront of everyone “I don’t know where she is as I haven’t heard from her. So I’ll just have to call her during the week.”
I didn’t think to check my work email as I’m on mat leave and shed messaged me on Facebook originally. I should have checked about it but tbh it slipped my mind!

I didn't check a single email while on mat leave and did not join any meetings. It is leave. I am a big disbeliever in the "cult of work" though, so I may not be the best one to ask.

Op isn't working. Therefore there is no requirement to check work email, pretty simple.

I didn't check work emails once when I was maternity leave. I did attend a work related meeting/event once, but it was arranged via phone and I was there socially rather than for work.