Doris looks back on her 100 years

Buy photos » Doris White celebrates her big day with daughter Carole Langford, son-in-law Tony Langford, along with Mayor of Worcester Dr David Tibbutt and mayoress Jane Tibbutt. 1212021ncr1

THE YEAR 1912 saw the sinking of the Titanic, the establishment of the Republic of China and also witnessed the birth of a Worcester resident.

Doris White, who lives in St John’s, celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday (March 21).

The former school secretary said she was amazed to have reached the landmark age.

“I never thought I would reach 100,” she said.

“I was always poorly when I was young and I didn’t think I would reach this far.”

Mrs White, who has two children, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, celebrated the occasion with a get together with friends and family at Bromyard Road Methodist Church this week.

Daughter Carole Langford, 69, added: “We think it is a great achievement for her to reach 100 and be able to lead the fairly active life she does. We are very proud of her.”

Born and brought up in the village of Sunderland Bridge, County Durham, Mrs White moved to Claines in Worcester in 1938 shortly after marrying Randolph White.

Once her two children, Tony and Carole, had grown up, she started working as a secretary for head teachers at two schools in Worcester, which she did for 17 years.

She also attended official events with her husband who served as a Worcester city councillor for 29 years.

After Mr White died in 1986, she continued to stay active by driving friends around for lunches and afternoon teas well into her 80s.

Mrs White said the secret to her remarkably long life was keeping her brain active through reading, playing cards and tackling word searches.