Surrounded by staff, residents, friends and family, Winnifred McKittrick celebrated a very special occasion.
Winnifred marked her 108th birthday at St Catherine’s Nursing Home in Newcastle with a milky coffee, chocolate cake and a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ sung by her guests.
Winnifred, fondly known as Mrs Mac, has lived at the home for five years.
Her most prized birthday gifts included a telegram and card from the Queen and cards from her daughters Pat and Maureen, who lives in New Zealand.
Winnifred was born in 1911 and in her lifetime has seen two wars, the birth of the National Health Service, the discovery of penicillin and the arrival of the television.
She was the youngest of six children and moved to Newcastle from London with her siblings when she was four years old.
Winnifred soon warmed the hearts of everyone that she worked with after starting at the Cooperative aged 15.
Tragically, she lost her husband while she was in her 20s, leaving with with three young children to care for.
Winnifred continued to work at the Co-op in Newcastle for more than 40 years, before retiring aged 60.
She was very popular at work and the girls she supervised always called her 'mother' because she helped them so much.
Winnifred's daughter Pat never misses a visit and says that her mum is the best in the world.
The 83-year-old said: "She is very loving and everyone loves her.
"It’s amazing how she’s lived to this age as not many people do nowadays.
"She’s always in good spirit and sings songs from when she grew up and she still remembers all the words."
