Betty from Stratford celebrates 100th birthday with family and the mayor
HAPPY birthday to Betty.
100 years of Betty Wilson’s life were celebrated by family and friends with an afternoon tea at the Arden Hotel, Stratford, on Tuesday - her birthday.
Betty – who has lived in Stratford since 1973 – was joined by her son, Charles Wilson, civic officer of Stratford Town Council and her daughter, Suzanne, for the special occasion which saw the Mayor of Stratford, Cllr Jason Fojtik attend and present Betty with a bouquet of roses.
The family pet – Freckles the tortoise – was also part of this week’s birthday celebrations having joined the family in the 1960s. The name Freckles was chosen because it had a bit of a broken shell which made it look freckly.
Betty was born in Wales in 1924 and lived in Colwyn Bay with her parents and sister before studying for an Institutional Management Diploma at Edinburgh College of Domestic Science during 1943/44.
After achieving her diploma, Betty worked at St George’s School, Ascot for five years and then Godalming Grammar School catering for 500 students. She then moved to Central Kitchen in Kenilworth distributing 1,200 meals a day to local schools.
Betty married John in 1956 and a year later their son – Charles - was born and in 1960 Suzanne was expected.
A change of job brought John to Alcester in 1966 so the family moved and Betty became involved with Meals on Wheels for the WRVS. The eventually the family moved again and this time to Stratford.
During her last 20 years of working, Betty enjoyed looking after show homes for Locke and England, and managing the Ceilidh Place, a craft shop in Meer Street, Stratford.
Her final working years were spent at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust giftshop in Henley Street and after her husband died in 1995, Betty sold the family home to move closer to town.
Betty regularly attended Holy Trinity Church where was part of the Parochial Church Council and attended the Ladies’ Forum.
Tuesday’s birthday party at the Arden included a congratulatory card from the King and Queen, a special chocolate birthday cake and lots of cards, hugs and presents from family.
A keen sports fan, Betty will be tuning into the Olympics but also loves to watch Wimbledon and the Welsh national rugby team.
Charles Wilson told the Herald: “My sister and I are extremely proud of what our mother has achieved during her long life and the tenacity she demonstrated through living on her own without much additional assistance support until recent times. She has always been there for us in good times and bad, providing love and support, something both my sister and I will always be grateful for.”
