Nancy’s 100 years of memories
FAMILY AND FRINDS GATHER TO MARK SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY
A woman who overcame wartime heartache as her new husband was held in a Nazi prison camp has marked her 100th birthday.
Nancy Burt, nee Lavender, married Ernie in 1940 before he headed off to North Africa as a driver with the Green Howards.
While Nancy and their newborn son Peter were evacuated from Sunderland, Ernie was held as a prisoner of war for more than two years when he was seized by Erwin Rommel’s men, returning home when the Second World War came to an end.
Nancy and Peter were reunited with Ernie and the couple went on to set up home in South Bents, Seaburn.
Ernie returned to his job with the Prudential insurance firm, while Nancy had her own career as a hairdresser, employed at the end of her working life at Patricia’s in Derwent Street.
The couple had a love of travel and would holiday around Europe, with Nancy taking a break to join Peter when he spent winters in Arizona and she was widowed when Ernie died in 1997, aged 82.
Nancy, who was born in Fence Houses, overcame health problems in 1980, when she had cancer.
Today, her son Peter, who know lives on Vancouver Island, Canada, will join her, alongside children of her sisters’ Beatty and Freda and her best friend Marie Foster.
Retired teacher Peter, 76, has been joined by his partner Cindy, 60, at her birthday celebrations at Gildacre Fields, Southwick.
Peter said: “I don’t think she feels 100, but she would still really like to take a holiday.
“She’s always loved to travel. Reaching 100 is a big milestone for her.”