Family celebrates loving Vera’s 100th year

A HAPPY marriage and family have kept Worthing resident Vera Ames going strong to reach her 100th birthday, her daughter believes.
WH 111014 100th birthday for Vera Ames, with mayor Vic Walker. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-141210-211440001WH 111014 100th birthday for Vera Ames, with mayor Vic Walker. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-141210-211440001
WH 111014 100th birthday for Vera Ames, with mayor Vic Walker. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-141210-211440001

The centenarian was joined by nearly 50 family members for a celebratory lunch at the Ardington Hotel, in Steyne Gardens, on Saturday.

Her daughter, Vivienne, said: “It went swimmingly well. As the afternoon went out, she sat there beaming, looking at all the family and feeling like the Queen.

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“My mother’s sister gave a short speech and then my mother stood up with no notes and gave her own speech, before my cousin gave a proper speech about my mother’s life.”

Vera was born in London in 1914. Her father was born in St Helena, where her great grandfather lived in the same house that Napoleon lived in when he was exiled to the island.

She came to Worthing in the 1990s.

Vivienne added: “My mother is bright, intelligent, very loving and caring, extremely friendly and very interested in everything.

“She has lived through two wars, which is quite an event, really, and not many people can say that.

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“She still reads the paper from cover to cover and still manages her own financial affairs, cooking and shopping.

“She had a happy and wonderful marriage and her family has kept her happy and contented all her life.”

The celebratory lunch was attended by Worthing mayor Vic Walker.

He spent time chatting with Vera, arriving with a card and a bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion.

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