‘Feisty’ Rose becomes Rustington’s newest centenarian

And this month Rustington resident Rose Sturt celebrated reaching her 100th birthday.

A party marking the monumental three-figure milestone took place at the Fairlight Nursing Home, in Worthing Road, where Rose has been a resident for the past five years.

She was surrounded by family and friends and was able to tuck into a tasty cake.

Rose was born February 1, 1915, to Arthur and Rose Matthews, in Linden Road, Littlehampton.

She grew up and attended school in the town. But she adored spending time at her grandparents’ home on the Loveys Farm estate, in Bilsham, near Yapton, where her grandad was a coachman.

Rose left school at 14 and trained as a florist in Arundel, eventually becoming the manageress of Old Mead Nurseries, in Lyminster, until 1938 when she married her late husband Harry Sturt.

The couple formed an enduring love and opened up a number of shops in Littlehampton, Arundel and Wick.

Rose has two children, Pamela and Valerie. Valerie said her mother was ‘a kind, hard-working woman, very much admired for her devotion to Pamela’ who had learning difficulties.

Rose is a feisty character at Fairlight, Valerie added, and loves taking part in arts and crafts activities.

Speaking of her mother’s birthday party, Valerie said: “Rose loved her day, cake, being the centre of attention and the treasured card from the Queen.”