Gladys celebrates centenary, surrounded by friends
Sprightly and charming Gladys Steele, celebrated her one hundredth birthday on Tuesday 29th April with a big party. Guests arrived throughout the morning to offer congratulations, bringing cards and flowers which soon began to fill up the sitting room at Abbeyfields in Warkworth.
Gladys Steele celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday 29 April
Before she and her husband moved to the village, Gladys grew up in Byker, becoming the Verger at St Michael’s church, as well as bringing up her family.
“I’ve never been well off, but I had a happy childhood” she said. “I was born in Newcastle, but we always used to come up and visit Warkworth. My husband and I always liked it here. We always liked to walk around this area, and when we retired, we came up for good.”
Gladys clearly relishes being around family and was looking forward to a full day of chatting to friends from the village, from church and from further afield. Celebrations were to continue with lunch and the afternoon spent with her daughter and other members of her family.
Gladys has two sons and a daughter, one granddaughter, one grandson and two great-grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.
“I’ve been here at Abbeyfield for nine years now, and each year I’ve said to people ‘Just pop in on my birthday’. I wanted the same this year.
I’ve got loads of cards!” she exclaimed, looking around the room. “I’ve been in Warkworth for 36 years now, but there are some people here today who have come up from Byker too. My son has been away on a trip, and has just returned from New York especially for today.”
Insisiting she wanted no presents, Gladys asked people to give donations to the Red Cross instead.
” I like it here at Abbeyfield, if you have to be in anywhere like this, this is the best, but it’s not home. The staff are very good and kind, but family is the best.”
Her husband died ten years ago and shortly afterwards Gladys moved in to Abbeyfield. Her strong faith and cheerful disposition have clearly affected her outlook on life.
” I could do with a new pair of legs” she laughed. “”We used to walk such a lot, and I do miss that, but apart from that, I haven’t ailed much. I suppose the only thing I worry about now is sometimes I feel I don’t know what’s going to crop up.
“Today I am keen on seeing all my relatives. There’s a lot to be thankful for.”
Anna Williams
