Telly stars help 104th birthday celebration
QUIZ SHOW CELEBS SEND CARDS TO FAN ON HER SPECIAL DAY
A PLUCKY pensioner who worked as a welder during the Second World War has celebrated her 104th birthday.
And it was an extra special day for TV quiz fan Molly Turner after receiving birthday messages from the stars of her favourite TV game show.
The former electrical worker celebrated the milestone year with a party surrounded by family and friends at Woodridge Gardens, in Washington.
Molly was also treated to cards from stars of ITV programme The Chase – presenter Bradley Walsh and “chaser” Ann Hegerty.
The TV personalities sent their best wishes after Molly’s great-niece got in touch with the show’s producers.
Born in Fatfield, County Durham, Molly moved to Romford, in East London, to work in a hospital laundry when she was 16.
It was at the hospital she met council worker and future husband Harvey Turner, and the pair were married in 1937.
When the Second World War began, Harvey was conscripted into the services and she went to work as a welder in a munitions factory. After the war, Molly went to work at a firm called Colvins Electronics for seven years.
She returned to the North East when she was widowed at the age of 60 to be closer to her three nieces.
After she turned 100, she was chosen to be the face of Sunderland housing association Gentoo.
Until recently, she enjoyed playing bingo at Mecca in Washington, and still lives in her Woodridge Gardens flat with support from carers.
Friend Jocelyn Scott, who used to be Molly’s carer, said: “She’s an absolutely lovely lady – she’s such a good laugh and we always have a great time.
“She loves shopping and she always dresses nicely and looks smart.
“She’s like my best friend, my mum and my grandma all rolled into one.”