Special celebrations for birthday girl Betty as she reaches 102

The centenarian received well-wishes from staff at Ashlea Mews Home, where she has been a resident since 2012.

As well as a visit from her family, she was also presented with flowers by the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Coun Richard Porthouse and his wife Patricia.

Mrs Dick, from South Shields, was once a keen bowls player.

She began her working career at the age of 14, starting as an errand girl for Gregsons, in South Shields.

At 16 she moved to London to work at the University College Hospital, returning to South Shields four years later to work at the sanatorium.

She met her husband through a mutual friend and was married at 21.
Sadly her husband died in 1977, aged 64, and eight years later her daughter Joyce passed away.

Vicki Jones, manager at the home in Stanhope Road, South Shields, said: “Betty is a lovely lady and a pleasure to look after.

“We all wanted to make it a special day for her, which is why we invited the Mayor and Mayoress along.

“She loves her routine and doing her own thing, and loves watching sport on the television.

“She was a keen bowler and won lots of trophies and travelled the world with her husband.”

Coun Porthouse said: “It was wonderful to be part of the celebrations to mark Mrs Dick’s very special 102nd birthday with her friends and family.

“I was honoured and deeply privileged to meet such a lovely lady.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to swap stories about times gone by in South Tyneside with Mrs Dick.

“The Mayoress and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves meeting her friends while sharing a slice of cake with them.”