Centenarian Lily marking a special day
HEALTHY LIVING IS THE KEY, SHE SAYS
A Great-great-grandmother who still lives independently in Hull said not even being in lockdown for her birthday could ruin turning 100.
Lily Hart, of west Hull, might not have been allowed to surround herself with her two children, six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six greatgreat-grandchildren on her special day, but that didn’t stop her enjoying the milestone.
Despite having very limited vision and hearing, Lily remains strong and independent and lives in a Pickering and Ferens home in Hessle High Road – her home of 17 years.
“I wish I knew what the secret of a long life is,” said Lily.
“It’s a hard question to answer, but I have a hot cooked meal every day. I always eat healthily.”
Lily, who gave up smoking around 55 years ago, and only occasionally enjoys a tipple, has always been independent.
She had to grow up quickly from the age of six.
An only child to begin with, before her mother went on to have six more children in six years, which meant Lily was given her share of household chores, errands and babysitting from a very young age.
Aged just nine Lily suffered rheumatic fever and her mother was told she would not live beyond her teenage years, yet here she is celebrating her centenary milestone in 2020.
Sadly, Lily became a widow at the age of 22, when her husband Arthur was killed in action during the Second World War, leaving her to support herself and her first child, Mike, now 79 and living in New Zealand.
Lily had two jobs at Mike’s school while he was growing up, so she didn’t need to rely on anyone for childcare. She also worked in Bentley’s Laundry in Hull.
“I always had to sink or swim,” said Lily, who went on to find happiness with George in 1952, before the pair married in 1953.
Their daughter, Susan, was born in 1955. George didn’t have good health later in life, so Lily had to work and look after him after numerous heart attacks. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1978.
“I am very proud of how my children have turned out, after a hard life losing Arthur at a young age and then losing George when he was 62,” said Lily.
“I have seen so many changes over the years, I don’t like the way the world is now, I wouldn’t like to be a youngster having to start out these days – I feel for them.”
Susan, Lily’s daughter, says she spent her birthday enjoying a homemade fruit cake from neighbour Glenda Gardiner. She was inundated with birthday wishes and cards.
“Mum has been on a high since her birthday,” said Susan. “She had a wonderful time. I personally think it’s Mum’s routine that has kept her going.”