Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicholas Keyden

Scotland's oldest woman Annie Lean dies aged 109

Scotland's oldest woman has died at the age of 109.

Annie Lean was born on November 3, 1909 , and grew up in a small village, Fushiebridge, Midlothian , where there was no electricity or sewage system.

Water had to be drawn from a well opposite the family home Annie shared with her younger sister, three brothers and her parents.

Her father worked at sea before returning to the mainland to work as a miner, but broke his back and had to wear a metal support for the rest of his life.

Annie's mother, a midwife, delivered 92 babies during her career, proudly losing none.

The family moved to another village, Temple, Midlothian, and after leaving school , Anne took up a job as a 'home help' for a doctor and his wife in Trinity.

Pensioner dies after two-vehicle crash near Dunfermline  

She later worked as a silver table maid with shipping company Salveson, and as a shop worker in Edinburgh.

In 1932, Annie married garage mechanic Tommy Lean, an active Labour supporter who became a provost.

Annie supported him by going out canvassing.

They had a daughter, Evelyn, and three sons, Tom and the late Jim and John.

Speaking at his mother's birthday in November, Tom said: "Mum was always out canvassing for Labour votes when elections were coming up.

Scotland's oldest woman is now Janet Mackay (West Lothian Courier)

"She was very active all her life and she was still driving until she was 90 when she was registered blind."

The couple retired to Galashiels, Scottish Borders, where they opened a bed-and-breakfast.

At the age of 74, Anne learned to swim and eventually completed a marathon over several days.

She died peacefully on April 19 at Archview Lodge care home in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Scotland's Champions: Jayden was our beautiful, bubbly boy. We want his legacy to be saving lives

Since the death of Annie Lean, Scotland's oldest woman is now Janet Mackay, who celebrated her 109th birthday in March.

Born on March 28 1910, great-grandmother Janet lives in Broxburn Care Home, West Lothian.

Staff there believe she is now Scotland's oldest woman.

Charge nurse Laura McCorisken said: "It has just been an honour to care for her, she's such a lovely lady and it's been an honour to hear some of her stories."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.