Emma turns 100
Moved to Bathgate after WW1
Congratulations to emma Stevenson who has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Born emma donnachie on October 12, 1917, the centenarian spent most of her days in Bathgate, moving to the town with her mother, after her father was killed in WW1, to be with emma’s grandparents. emma married John Stevenson in 1936 and the couple had four children. She lived in her own house until she was 99 before moving into a nursing home in Fauldhouse where she and her family celebrated her milestone birthday. emma is pictured with Lord Lieutenant, Moira niven.
A great-grandmother who first moved to Bathgate after the end of WW1, in which she lost her father, has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Emma Stevenson, nee Donnachie, was born in Inverkeithing on October 12 1917, to Elizabeth and Frank Donnachie.
Her father died in Belgium serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers on November 8 1918, only three days before the end of the war.
Her mother Elizabeth had heard that the war had ended before learning of Frank’s death.
Emma’s grandparents, William and Agnes Anthony, insisted that Elizabeth and her children Emma, Charlie, Agnes and Willie move home to Bathgate and this began Emma’s love for the town and the High Kirk.
Tragedy struck Emma’s family again when her mother died when she was 11 before her grandmother passed away the following year.
Her grandfather, William, became Emma’s legal guardian and they would spend the evenings with him playing the flute and her singing along.
Emma said: “As long as I could see granda, all was well with my world.”
Emma married John Stevenson in 1936 and the couple had four children together - Elizabeth, Ian, June and Wilma.
Ian sadly became ill aged seven and Emma nursed him until he died aged 13.
Although there are many sad events in her life Emma has always had a great sense of humour. She gave her children, grandchildren and great- g randchildren unconditional love and they all adore her and have brilliant childhood memories with her.
Emma spent her life looking after others, including her brother Willie who lived with the family.
She talks of the fun and great times the family had at the “bunker” opposite the High Kirk. For part of World War Two she worked in Paisley with other women from Bathgate.
The High Kirk played a huge part in Emma’s life where she and her pal and cousin Jenny Norris enjoyed the daffodil teas, the Guild and the Sunday School picnics by train from Bathgate to Burntisland.
They also loved the Boys’ Brigade family visits to Millport.
Emma managed to live on her own until she was 99 before moving into Crofthead Nursing Home in Fauldhouse where she has no shortage of visitors from her daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who all visit frequently.
She has also been on a barge trip in Ratho and is looking forward to attending a pantomime in Lanark in December.