Super-centenarian Hilda dies at 110

OLDHAM’S Hilda Jackson, thought to be the fifth oldest person in the UK, has died 15 days before her 111th birthday.

OLDHAM’S Hilda Jackson, thought to be the fifth oldest person in the UK, has died 15 days before her 111th birthday.

Hilda, who was believed to be the oldest person living in Lancashire, was born on August 19, 1903 — the same year as singer Bing Crosby and author George Orwell.

She died on August 4 at Werneth Lodge nursing home — where she lived for the last eight years of her life.

Hilda became a super-centenarian on her birthday last year — which is a name given to people who reach their 110th birthday.

There are estimated to be only 200 to 350 living in the world.

She also confessed that day that she felt the odd glass of sherry has been the key to her long and happy life.

Kerry Pownley, a care assistant at Werneth Lodge, knew Hilda very well from her time at the nursing home and said she was an incredibly popular lady who loved a glass of sherry up until her final few days.

Mrs Pownley said: “She was an absolutely lovely lady. She was really popular within the home — everybody loved her. She also had a lot of visitors especially for someone of her age.

“You would not really think she was as old as she was. She had a brilliant sense of humour and often joked that she was only 75.

“She was constantly reading books on the Royal family, she absolutely loved them. You would have to say though that her main love was sherry — she loved a glass of sherry.”

Hilda was born in Tamworth Street, Oldham, to parents William, a butcher, and Eleanor, a dressmaker.

She had two sisters — Ada and Elsie — and worked as a head telephonist for the largest textile machine engineering company in the world, Platt Bros.

She married Herbert, a maintenance engineer in 1937 at St John’s Church in Werneth after a 10-year engagement.

They lived together at Harrow Road in Werneth, and had one son, Peter.

They went on to have three grandchildren, and later three great-granddaughters and a great-grandson.

Herbert died in 1972, and tragedy struck the family in 2004 when their son Peter died of a heart attack.

Hilda lived independently at the family home in Harrow Avenue until she was 102, but following a fall moved to Werneth Lodge.

Mo McCann, manager of Werneth Lodge, said: “She was a lovely, lovely person. She was always an absolute joy and made a great impression on everyone she met here. She will be missed.”