100-year-old Sheffield great-grandmother ‘surprised’ and ‘pleased' to reach milestone

100-year-old Mary Waring, who lives in Sheffield

Mary Waring, who turned 100 on Thursday, February 13, marked the occasion with a party with family and friends, including her three children, nine grand-children and three great-grandchildren at Overdale Residential Home, Kenwood Park Road, Nether Edge, where she lives.

Diana Thompson, one of her children, said: “Mum was surprised that she reached the milestone, she said she didn’t think she’d make it, but now I think she thinks she’ll outlive us all. She is pleased to get there.

“She hasn’t shared with us any secrets of reaching such an age. I think it’s luck of the draw, and I think mum would agree with me.”

Mary, who was a hospital sister during World War Two, moved to Nether Edge from Bournemouth about four years ago, to be closer to Diana and her sister Pam Gibson, who both live in Sheffield.

Diana said: “Mum likes living here. She doesn’t get out, but she thinks Nether Edge is a lovely area and she likes being able to look out of the window and see all of the trees.

“The home she lives in is lovely too.”

On the big day itself, Mary was also visited by friends, some whom had travelled from Bournemouth to see her.

Diana said: “Mum is very popular, she always has been. I know I’m her daughter so I’m a bit biased but I’ve never known anybody not like her.”

Mary was also visited in the home, Kenwood Park Road, by Coun Tony Downing, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, who went to congratulate on her on reaching such an impressive milestone.

Diana said Mary was also ‘thrilled’ to receive a card from The Queen to mark her big day.

The Waring family also remembered lost family members as they celebrated, including Mary’s late husband Raymond, who died in 1999. The couple married in 1951 and had four children – Diana, Pam, Richard, and the late William Waring, known as Bill, who also died about 18 months ago.

Diana said: “They are still very important members of the family, and mum and dad had a very long and happy marriage before he passed away.”