Marjorie celebrates her 104th birthday

HAPPY birthday wishes to Marjorie Neville, who was an astonishing 104 years old last Friday.

Marjorie (pictured) celebrated at St Nectan’s home in Cantelupe Road with residents and friends, including Valerie Zebedee, of Eastwood Road, who has known Marjorie all her life.

Valerie said: “She has got a lovely sense of humour. She has always been very ladylike - a typical gentle well-educated lady who has travelled a lot.

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“She has know our family since I was born because she was secretary to my grandfather, Robert Mortimore, who was wine and spirit buyer for NAAFI.

“She has know all my aunts and uncles and she was the first person outside the family to see me when I was born.

“My grandather included her in absolutely everything.”

Marjorie was born in London and had five brothers and sisters, her father being a builder in Chelsea. She went to secretarial college when she left school and then worked for Mr Mortimore.

Valerie aded: “Marjorie has lovely tales about accompanying him to wine tastings.

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“She said it was great, the only trouble being they couldn’t drink very much because there were so many.

“They had an office by London docks but when the war came they had to leave. They thought they would be moved out to Surrey but they went to Trafalgar Square. It was so funny.”

Marjorie never married or had children but after retirement cared for each of her brothers and sisters in Wimbledon until they died. Afterwards she moved to Bexhill to be near Valerie and her family.

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