Happy 101st for grand old lady Lillian! (From Barry And District News)

Happy 101st for grand old lady Lillian!

4:30pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

A BARRY woman has celebrated her 101st birthday!

Lillian Spierling marked the momentous occasion on August 31 with staff and friends at Rondel House in the town, before spending the rest of the day with family and much-loved pet budgie Izzy.

The former Gladstone School pupil married Charles at St Paul's Church, High Street, in 1931 and she became a full-time mum to four children - two adopted.

She said they hadn't had much money, but she had had a "happy" life. "I had a lovely home," she said.

"I have no regrets. I haven't got a secret (to a long life), but I've never smoked and I don't drink - I don't like the taste so it was no hardship.

"We never had any money, but we were happy," she added.

"I have just seemed to be happy in my life."

Lillian, of North Walk, enjoyed crocheting, knitting, creating tapestry and dressmaking and made all her daughters' wedding dresses.

She also made cakes.

"My family always said I bought flour by the sack rather than by the pound," she added.