Neston woman celebrates 105th birthday

Nov 9 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A FORMER sewing machinist believed to be the oldest woman in Wirral celebrated her 105th birthday last week.

Family and friends from as far as Scotland and Kent travelled to Hinderton Mount Residential Home in Neston to join Lily Jones on her special day on Bonfire Night.

Birthday wishes also poured in from relatives around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.

Born in 1906, Lily lived all her life in Salford before moving to Neston in 1983. She has four children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She started work at the age of 14 and ascribes her longevity to working all her life, retiring only at the age of 75.

She said: “It’s lovely to see all my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren growing up. I never imagined I would see this day.

“We never thought we would see men on the moon, or travel in planes and cars when I was young.”

Her eldest son Bernard, who travelled from Largs in Scotland, said: “It’s marvellous to see mum looking so well.

“No-one in our family has ever lived this long.”