Celebrations for centenarians
Date published: 18 January 2010
PLUCKY Elsie Brereton loves nothing more than a good gossip with all her friends — not bad for a woman who turns 105 today.
The sprightly centenarian bounced back to make a miracle recovery from a broken hip just before her 102nd birthday and now there’s nothing stopping her.
The former mill worker — who has two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren — tied the knot with her first husband William Whalley at Oldham Parish Church in 1928. She was 23.
Sadly, Mr Whalley died and Elsie married her second husband Ernest Brereton in 1963.
Elsie, who lives with her daughter Barbara Barnes and son-in-law Jack Barnes in High Crompton, and enjoys visiting the Laurel Bank Day Care Centre in Royton to see her friends and take part in regular art and craft activities.
She will celebrate her birthday with a family party at home and a knees up with her friends at the centre.
AVOIDING cigarettes and alcohol is the key to a long and happy life according to Marion Wolfenden — and she should know, for she has just celebrated her 104th birthday.
The sprightly centenarian lived alone in Watersheddings until she turned 102 and moved into the Millfield residential home in Waterhead.
Marian was born in Hollinwood and married her late husband, Dudley, in the 1930s.
She enjoyed life as a housewife until the couple opened a herbalist shop in Waterloo Street.
The couple had one child, Brenda Fletcher, who died in the mid-1980s. Dudley died soon after.
The grandmother of two, who also has a great-grandchild, celebrated her birthday yesterday with family, staff and fellow residents at Millfield.
Asked about her secret to enjoying a long and happy life, Marion said: “I live a day at a time and make the best of everything.”
