I live for my family says Irene as she turns 105
IRENE Stevenson has lived through two world wars, 25 prime ministers and is about to receive her second birthday message from the Queen.
On Wednesday, she will celebrate her 105th birthday, surrounded by family at the care home in Wythenshawe where she has lived for six years.
Born on January 9, 1914, Irene’s childhood primarily consisted of listening for air raid sirens, following the outbreak of the First World War.
By the time of her eighth birthday she had already experienced tragedy, after her parents died two years apart from tuberculosis.
Having lost both parents at such a young age, children and starting a family of her own became an extremely important part of her life.
“I live for my family,” Irene said sat next to her beloved son Peter. “So many families split up these days, but mine never did and I believe that’s a big factor to making it this far.”
Irene met her husband of 50 years, George Alfred Stevenson, shortly after moving to Manchester when she was 18. She had previously lived in Hull with her uncle who had taken her in after the untimely death of her parents. “I wanted an education and I wasn’t going to get one if I stayed with my uncle in Hull,” she said.
Irene moved to a nunnery in Manchester until the start of the Second World War, where she took over a role working on the tram network.
“All the men had gone off to work in the war and so the women took up the jobs here that they left behind,” Irene said. “Being hardworking, determined and independent – I think that’s what has got me here.”
Irene’s husband worked in a factory on Lower Mossley Street in Manchester until the war. He then helped to manufacture bombs. He delivered parts to the Manchester Shipping Canal, where Irene says bombs were frequently dropped.
“We were lucky to make it through both wars,” she said.
At the end of the war Irene and George began planning a family, but their dreams were hit when Irene had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy in her early 30s. The operation meant that Irene would never be able to have any biological children of her own, but being a mother meant ‘everything’ to her and when she was 36, she and George decided to adopt. “George and I both knew that we really wanted a girl,” Irene said. “When we went into the adoption agency, they handed a baby boy to my husband and he grabbed George’s little finger. I think that’s what won him over.”
Irene’s love for her son Peter, who is now 68 and has a family of his own, is unconditional and it is clear that her family mean the world to her. After her husband passed away 30 years ago, Irene believes she wouldn’t have made it this far without the love and support they have provided her.
During her 50s, Irene was diagnosed with angina and told that she may only have one or two years to live. “I was working part-time at Marks and Spencer on Market Street at the time and was told I needed to slow down,” she said. “I took some time off but that only lasted for three weeks, and I went back.”
Ahead of her 105th birthday, Irene is surrounded by love – whether it be from the nurses who look after her, or her five-year-old great-granddaughter Amelia, who clearly adores her.
Cards have already begun to arrive and plans are in place for a big party at Peele Nursing Home.