Songs and smiles for Win’s 100th birthday

Win Doolan

Win Doolan always has a smile on her face — and it is sure to be there today as she celebrates her 100th birthday with a party.

Born and bred in Kentish Town, London, Win met Frank Doolan, who worked for the railways, in 1933. After they got married in 1937, the couple moved to Oldham, Frank’s home town. They were married for 42 years until he died.

Win, whose maiden name was Fussey, remembers visiting London during the Second World War and hearing “doodlebug” V1 flying bombs overheard, which she described as “frightening”.

But she settled well in Oldham with Frank and their two sons, Len (now 73) and Tommy (68). The couple lived in Block Lane in Chadderton and then moved to Failsworth.

Win will be having a party today at Royley House in Royton, where she has lived for the past seven years. A singer has been specially booked for the occasion and there will also be a family dinner on Sunday.

Granddaughter Louise Doolan said: “She has got a cracking personality. She will do anything or anybody.

“She’s very independent — what you see is what you get and she will always speak her mind. She’s got a great sense of humour.”

She worked at Berketex, a company in Manchester which specialises in women’s clothing.

After retirement she continued to enjoy sewing clothes, doing crosswords and reading romance novels.

Win said: “I have had some good times. I enjoyed going to the dogs with Frank. The children have kept me going. Lenny said I lived for them.”