It’s hats off to Betty as she turns 100 Former milliner celebrates
A former Arnotts hat maker was thrilled to receive a card from the Queen on her 100th birthday.
Betty McCall celebrated the magnificent milestone on Monday surrounded by family and friends at Elderslie Care Home.
Daughter Maureen McLachlan said: “It’s really amazing that she has got to this age. She has kept fit most of her life, so that has contributed to her long life.
“She was very active up until three years ago when she went a little bit downhill, and had to be looked after.
“But she keeps very well. She’s done tremendously. I’m hoping it’s good genes.”
And getting a card from the Queen to mark the special occasion was the highlight of the day.
Maureen said: “She was really excited to get the card from the Queen. She said she couldn’t sleep the night before she got it. We had 20 of her friends and family all together at the Glynhill, so she has celebrated in style.”
The youngest of seven children, Betty has enjoyed a long and full life. She went to Williamsburgh Primary School in Paisley, and as a youngster went to the Brownies and Guides.
And it was through the Guides that she met her future husband, Jack, on a camping trip in Crail.
The pair became inseparable and were married in 1946. They had two daughters, Maureen and Elizabeth, but sadly Elizabeth passed away in infancy.
After leaving school, Betty went to work as a milliner at Cochrans in Gauze Street and continued working there when the shop became Arnotts, where she helped form a women’s cricket team.
Maureen added: “She was a very proficient dressmaker having inherited the skill from her father. She made her own clothes and, of course, hats to match, and she made all my clothes too. And she has passed those skills on to the next generation.”
During the war, Betty worked in the Rolls Royce factory where she inspected parts for aeroplanes.
She was an active member of Wallneuk Church, visiting housebound parishioners and organising flowers for the congregation until she and Jack moved to Bridge of Weir in the Seventies.
Maureen added: “She has always loved music. She played piano with the woman’s guild and she was a member of the choir at the North Church in Love street.
“I still play CDs to her in the home now.
“I remember her as always baking and always sewing around the house.”
When Jack passed away in 2004, Betty, aged 89, became involved in many activities, including the Women’s Guild.
She moved into Elderslie Care Home in 2015 after a decline in health, but is still enjoying life and is looking forward to the birth of her first great granddaughter in August.
Maureen added: “All the staff at the care home have been great, and they really helped her have the special birthday that she deserves.
“I’d like to thank all the staff there for their help and support since she moved in.”