Dorothy still goes to shops at 100
AWOMAN who still manages to get out and do her own shopping every week celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by four other generations of her family.
Dorothy Thain, of Reddish, welcomed relatives from as far away as the Orkney Islands and even Sydney in Australia for a bash at the Hinds Head in Heaton Chapel.
It was one of four days of celebration for the party-loving pensioner and included her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Another celebration took place at Morrisons, on Reddish Road, where staff gave their oldest customer flowers and champagne.
Daughter Pat Ham, 67, said: “It happens quite rarely so many of the family can get together so it was fun and a lot of people were pleased to see each other.
“It meant a lot to my mum and she revelled in it. She celebrated for four days and held court. She has been a vary caring lady all her life.”
Dorothy is originally from Aberdeen in Scotland and emigrated to Australia at the age of 70.
But after missing her family she returned to Britain seven years later and moved to Stockport to be near Pat and son-inlaw David.
Prior to retiring she worked in a laundry, a lemonade factory and as a cleaner.
Dorothy, of Priory Court, married husband James in 1935 but he sadly died in 1983.
The couple also had two sons, Ian, 82 and Les, 80 and there are now seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Dorothy also still enjoys reading and crocheting blankets.
David said: “She is a very able and independent lady and goes shopping to Morrisons every Thursday on her own.
“She still lives on her own and although she has carers rather than them making her a cup of tea she will do it for them.
“We also thinks she cleans up before the cleaner comes. She is a very positive woman and nothing phases her.”