Happy 105th birthday
It was a very happy birthday for Whitburn’s oldest woman Jessie Malcolm this week as she celebrated 105 years of life.
Jessie was joined by family members, friends and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for West Lothian, Moira Niven MBE, as she was thrown a party at her sheltered housing accomodation on tuesday.
the sprightly Oap enjoyed a buffet, singing and dancing as a live band was brought in for the occasion.
and having raised six children, been alive when the titanic sank and surivived two World Wars, Jessie revealed her secret to a long life is never smoking or drinking.
A very special lady was thrown a bash this week to celebrate her 105th birthday.
Jessie Malcolm was accompanied by dozens of family members and friends at her home in Bield Sheltered Housing, Mansewood Court on Tuesday.
She has lived through two world wars, the reign of four monarchs and 22 British Prime Ministers during an incredible life spanning over 10 decades.
It all began when she was born as the oldest of five children to James and Margaret Olster on June 21, 1911 in Fauldhouse.
Her first job was as a maid at Ormiston House in Kirknewton when she was just 15 before she married her late husband James Malcolm on July 13, 1934 at the age of 23.
They went on to have six children together - Margaret, 81, Gwen, 79, Janette, 73, Bobby, 71, Jim 69 and Jess, 67.
Sadly her husband James passed away in September 1983, just 10 months short of the couple’s golden wedding anniversary.
But her family has continued to expand and she has 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two greatgreat-grandchildren.
Bobby, who helped organise her special day on Tuesday, said: “She’s absolutely brand new, you wouldn’t know she’s 105.
“When I was introducing the Depute Lord Lieutenant to her she said it’s nice to come in and meet someone who was born before the Titanic sank in 1912.”
On the odd occasion that her family aren’t visiting, Jessie likes to play bingo and other activities at her sheltered accommodation. She also enjoys sewing and is dedicated to her faith.
Jessie puts her long life down to never smoking or drinking alcohol.
Bobby added: “She didn’t do aerobics or necesarily eat any more healthily than anyone else. She ate food that wasn’t contaminated because it was grown in a field.
“She doesn’t get the flu jag because she’s never had the flu. I’ve never known her to be in her bed ill ever. It’s just luck.”
Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Moira Niven MBE, acting on behalf of Lord Lieutenant Isobel Brydie MBE also attended the bash.
She said: “When the Lord Lieutenant asked me if I would come out and meet Jessie I was delighted.
“It really is a privileged to come out and meet her. The fabulous thing about Jessie is her humour.
“You would be hard pushed to go into a room and point out who’s 105. Her hair’s beautiful, she’s beautifully dressed and she’s very funny as well.”