A woman born and raised in East Cambridgeshire has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Florence Mary Pedley – known as Mary – celebrated her milestone with dozens of her friends and family at Vera James House in Ely on Wednesday (11).
Born in 1917, Mrs Pedley left school aged 17 and married in 1936.
She spent all 39 years of her married life living in Witchford, where she had eight children and 17 grandchildren.
She lived with her second eldest son, Ray, after the death of her husband, George, in 1975, before moving to Vera James House three years ago.
And it was there where Mary showed off her card from The Queen to all four generations of the Pedley family - great grandchildren and all - who toasted her landmark birthday with a spot of cake.
Her daughter, Glen Platt, said: “The party was a great success.
“I think she was a little overwhelmed at the beginning and there were a few tears but she enjoyed it.”
Grand daughter and deputy manager at Vera James House, Mandy, said: “The party went really well.
“Mary is a very sociable lady and is well liked by all the residents here. She enjoys her own company but certainly enjoys the company of others.”
And what is Mary’s secret to a long and happy life? An old-school approach, according to Glen, who now lives in Haverhill.
“She did not have all the modern conveniences and technologies that we have today,” she said.
“Raising children was hard work for her and she didn’t get the help that we get now.
“Her diet was also very healthy back then, and she ate a lot more natural food which isn’t necessarily the way now.”
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