Centenarian celebrates

Press, 19 July 1983, Page 3

Centenarian celebrates

Mrs Lucy Riddell, who turns 100 today, holds a birthday card from a grandson in Singapore. Behind her are flowers sent by the same grandson.

Yesterday, Mrs Riddell was trying to persuade her fellow residents at the Churchill Courts rest home in Shirley that she was 89, but no-one was convinced because they were making

preparations for the birthday celebrations. “She knows perfectly well how old she is. She’s been looking forward to this for a long time,” said Mrs Riddell’s daughter, Mrs Dorothy Davidson. Mrs Riddell’s birthday will be marked by a party organised by staff at the rest home and an afternoon tea arranged by her family. She is also awaiting a tele-

gram from the Queen. Mrs Riddell, who was born in London, has two daughters—Mrs Davidson, who lives in Christchurch, and another who lives in Australia. She is also a grandmother and a greatgrandmother. She keeps herself busy knitting socks and reading, but has had to give up another favourite pasttime — tapestry — because her eyesight has weakened.