Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Family party marks Mary’s super century
Joy at 100th birthday
There was a right royal celebration as Mary McCreadie celebrated her 100th birthday.
Mary marked her super century with a party at Rawyards care home, attended by her many relatives and friends as well as delighted staff and fellow residents.
She was born at West Canal Street, Coatbridge, on August 23, 1918 – three months before the end of World War I – and has seen four monarchs in her lifetime, beginning with the Queen’s grandfather George V, as well as 19 different Prime Ministers and 23 Olympic Games.
Mary was the guest of honour at a colourful party arranged by staff at her care home, featuring a guitarist, singing and music throughout the day.
She received a card from the Queen to mark the special occasion, as well as a letter f rom parliament sending congratulations for her 100th birthday.
Her daughter Mary Hughes told the Advertiser: “It was a great day. She had lots of family to visit and had so many lovely flowers and gifts, as well as her letter from the Queen, which was fantastic.
“She enjoyed everything that was happening and the music was really good. The staff at her home are marvellous and they were the ones who put on the party.
“Everyone from her unit was there and she had family seeing her both through the day and at t night. It was a nice celebration.”
Mary, nee Dolan, attended St t Patrick’s Primary and St Patrick’s High in her home town, later r moving to Calderbank and then n to Chapelhall with her family.
She worked as a waitress in the restaurant at Glasgow department t store Copland and Lye and later r was a dinner lady at St Aloysius Primary, ran the canteen and cleaned offices at Atkinson’s garage and worked in the canteen at Terex.
Mary was married to William Wightman and the couple had three children. After William died she married John McCreadie and they had five children.
Now the centenarian also has 28 grandchildren, four greatgrandchildren and eight great, great-grandchildren.
Mary lived in her own home in Chapelhall until only four months ago, when she moved into the care home.
Daughter Mary added: “She used to be on the committee at the senior citizens’ centre in Chapelhall and played carpet bowls at the senior citizens’ centre.
“She likes knitting and sewing and loved her garden at her old house. It was beautiful and she would win prizes nearly every year.”
She had so many lovely flowers and gifts, as well as her letter from the Queen