Grand old lady Katie becomes a centenarian

Catherine Spottiswood, also known as Katie, enjoyed a party to remember as she marked her 100th birthday on Wednesday.

The centenarian is a resident at Garden Hill Care Home in South Shields, after moving in seven months ago.

Up until then she had been a resident at Laygate flats, an area where she lived all her life.

Great-nephew Michael Leonard said: “It was a great day and all the family came to celebrate the special day with her. She received a telegram from the Queen which she was really pleased with. Family from London also travelled to see her.

“Auntie Katie is a lovely woman who, up until last year when she began to have mobility problems, was fiercely independent.”

Miss Spottiswood, who never married, was the second oldest of six siblings, worked in Birmingham during the war as a domestic.

After returning home, she was employed at Binns in South Shields where she worked until 1976 when she retired aged 60.

Miss Spottiswood’s birthday event was attended by Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Couns Alan and Moira Smith.

Coun Smith, said: “It was wonderful to be a part of Miss Spottiswood’s 100th birthday celebration with her friends and family.

“The Deputy Mayoress and I were very privileged to meet such a lovely lady.

“I enjoyed the opportunity share a slice of cake with Miss Spottiswood and her family while swapping stories about times gone by in South Tyneside.”