Joy as friends celebrate 100th birthdays together
Two Rutherglen neighbours, who are among the town’s oldest residents, not only share a name – they also shared their 100th birthday celebrations last week.
Centenarians Betty Morton and Betty Smith marked their 100th birthdays in a special joint event staged by the team at a Cairn Housing Association sheltered housing complex.
South Lanarkshire Provost Ian McAllan was joined by Depute Lieutenant John McKenzie at the party last Tuesday where family and friends toasted two amazing lives.
Only child Betty Morton was born in Springburn in December 1918 and left school, aged 14, to work in Robert Simpson and Sons’ hardware and clothing shop in Glasgow’s Jamaica Street – which ultimately became House of Fraser.
Training as a shorthand typist, then bookkeeper, Betty spent her entire working life at the department store, retiring aged 60 in 1978. She moved to Rutherglen in 2005.
Betty married Alex in 1951, with whom she had one daughter June, born in 1956.
The family enjoyed memorable times on the Moray Firth coast.
A sports fanatic, Betty loves watching football, snooker and darts and keeps her mind sharp by tuning in to quiz shows – her favourites being University Challenge and Mastermind.
Meanwhile, Partick-born Betty Smith is one of seven children. Born on Valentine’s Day 1919, she also left school aged 14 to work for biscuit giants Gray and Dunn.
Married to Jim, Betty moved to Oxford where the couple ran a successful hotel business, moving back to Cumbernauld initially before setting up home in Rutherglen in 1994.
A keen sequence dancer in her younger days, Betty is a huge fan of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as well as an avid reader.
Provost McAllan said: “I am in the unique position to have visited a number of 100-year-olds across South Lanarkshire over the last 18 months, and I’ve learned something from each of these encounters.
“Today was an even more significant and thought-provoking event, focused on two women with fascinating life stories who have become neighbours and friends at this stage of their lives.
“Their stories of hard work, determination and, most of all of family, are fascinating and inspirational.
“Their example is one to aspire to every day and an uplifting way to begin another New Year. I wish them both continued health and happiness.”