‘JENNY’ CELEBRATES HAPPY 100th
A MUCH-LOVED family matriarch and former territorial army service member has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Margaret Jane Willis, known as Jenny to her friends and family, was born in the Rhondda on June 3, 1918.
To celebrate her milestone birthday earlier this month, she was joined by family and friends at her home in Cwmaman Care Centre in Aberdare for a buffet and live entertainment from a singer.
Jenny grew up in Porth in the Rhondda with her two sisters and one brother. Her father was well-known in the area for his carpentry work and Jenny’s son would eventually follow in his footsteps.
As an older teenager, Jenny became a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
During World War II, the ATS was the women’s branch of the British Army.
After the war, Jenny worked as a dinner lady in a local primary school and regularly enjoyed going dancing at the The Rink club in Porth.
Jenny married her husband Jim Willis in 1971 when she was in her early 50s. The couple went on to have two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Since Jim passed away 20 years ago, Jenny has moved to Cwmaman Care Centre in Aberdare.
Staff organised a birthday party for her, with guests including fellow residents, her children and grandchildren.
“We had a lovely time,” her granddaughter Katie Morgan, 39, said.
“They had a singer and a buffet for her, and then on the Monday the mayor came up to see her.”
Jenny received letters of congratulations from First Minister Carwyn Jones, alongside her letter from the Queen.
“It’s such an achievement to get to 100,” Katie said.
“She had her letter from the Queen and a couple from local politicians.
“We want to wish her a happy birthday from us all and we all hope we can follow in her footsteps!”