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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abi Smillie & Matthew Dresch

Scotland's oldest woman turns 109 after seeing off two World Wars, Spanish Flu and Covid

Scotland's oldest woman has made it through two World Wars, the Spanish Flu and Covid to turn 109.

Louisa Wilson, from Ayr, Scotland, has received 60 birthday cards, including her sixth one from the Queen.

But the great-grandmother still refuses to accept that she is the oldest person in the country, according to her daughter.

She has credited her long and happy life to a constant supply of Werther's Original sweets, the Daily Record reports.

Louisa celebrated her latest birthday with family and friends by her side at her home on Bellevue Crescent, after which she is fondly dubbed the ‘Belle of Bellevue’ by neighbours.

Louisa has made it through two World Wars, the Spanish Flu and Covid (Jamie Williamson)

Daughter Muriel said her mum contests the fact that she is now the oldest living person in the country.

Muriel told Ayrshire Live: “She doesn’t believe it — she thinks that it’s not true."

Born in 1912, Louisa is the eldest of five siblings and only surviving member of her family.

She was born in Glasgow’s Shawlands and moved to Paisley where she began her career as a clerical assistant before marrying her late husband Robert, a civil engineer, in 1940.

The centenarian was born in 1912 in Glasgow's Shawlands (Jamie Williamson)

The couple moved to Ayr, where they settled, and had daughters Muriel and Eleanor. Robert passed away in 1989.

Louisa is grandmother to Amy and Stuart and great-grandmother to two-year-old Elle- boasting an 107 year age gap between the pair.

Muriel said of Louisa’s 109th birthday: “It was was a lovely day. We had the family visiting and friends too.

“We had lots of cards, cake, flowers and chocolates.

“She’s no longer able to be mobile unfortunately. Only a few weeks ago she was at Rozelle but in the last two or three weeks has taken a wee dip.

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“She sat in the car [at Rozelle], she couldn’t walk, but said it was lovely and liked the trees.

“She’s very caring and always welcoming of people whether they’re carers or family.

“She’s welcomed visitors to the house and is still delighted to see people in her bedroom.”

Louisa is now the oldest known living person in Scotland following the death of Janet Mackay in late February, who passed away aged 110.

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