Sadness as Littlehampton woman dies days after centenary joy

THE family of Littlehampton centenarian Gladys Aubrey have been “devastated” by her death, just days after celebrating her landmark birthday.

Gladys, who was known by friends and family as Rita, died in her sleep, on Thursday, June 28, at the Summerlea House Nursing Home, in East Street, five days after her 100th birthday.

Her funeral is due to take place later next week.

Son Bob Hornsey contacted the Gazette to pay tribute to his mother, who weeks earlier he had described as “bright” and “bubbly”.

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Bob, who lives in London, said: “It’s been devastating for all of us. She was fit and healthy days before she died.

“The one consolation we have is that she lived a long and happy life. But I guess reaching 100 was enough for her.”

Rita was born in Blaydon, near Newcastle, on June 23, 1912, and lived through two world wars, and the reigns of four monarchs.

In her 20s, she became a nurse at a hospital in Glasgow, before moving down to London during the late 1930s, where she met her first husband, Fred Hornsey.

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The couple were married at Caxton Hall, in Westminster, and had their first child, Bob, in 1939.

Fred’s job as a chartered accountant saw the family travel across the country, during the Second World War.

However, in 1947, Rita divorced him and moved to Croydon, where she met her second husband, John Aubrey.

It was after this chance encounter, at a night club in Croydon, that Gladys earned the name Rita.

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Her son explained that she dreamt up the nickname, in the heat of the moment, as she didn’t want any unscrupulous characters knowing her real name.

However, husband-to-be John was so charmed by this, that he called her that for the rest of his life.

The couple tied the knot, months later, in a register office in Croydon and stayed together for 37 years, until John’s death in 1984.

During their time with one another, they moved to Felpham, in the early 1970s and then, a 
few years later, to their Rustington home, in Marama Gardens, where Rita remained until she became a resident at the Summerlea House Nursing Home, in East Street, Littlehampton, two years ago.

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Staff at the home said Rita, was a “happy” and “strong-willed” woman.

Cath Dyett, activities co-ordinator at Summerlea House, said: “Rita was such a character. She was a very happy and strong-willed lady and she will be sadly missed.

“She used to love music and always amazed us regularly, getting the high scores in some of our in-house games. It’s a great loss for the home and she’ll be missed.”

Rita’s funeral will take place today (Wednesday, July 18) at the Littlehampton Cemetery, at 2.30pm. She leaves her son, Bob, grand-daughter, Sharon, and four step-grandchildren.