A STAPLE Hill great-grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday – in the house where she was born.
Elizabeth Hodges, nee Wilkins, was born on February 2, 1926, at the family home in Edgeware Road.
The youngest of five sisters and three brothers, she went to primary and secondary school in Staple Hill and, apart from a short time away after getting married, has lived in the same house for her whole life, even sleeping in the room where she was born.
Great-granddaughter Lainey Oliver said: “At one time, all of the Wilkins sisters lived on Edgeware Road, so it was fondly known locally as ‘Wilkins Road’.”
After leaving school Elizabeth, also known as Betty, worked at Hodders the chemist in Fishponds and also developed a love of amateur dramatics, regularly appearing in plays at the Hebron Church.
It was around this time that she met her husband, John. They married in 1951 and went on to raise two children, Julie and Jeff.
After raising her children she worked as a dinner lady at a primary school in Hillfields.
Elizabeth has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Her early memories include sheltering in the cupboard under the stairs during air raids as a young teenager during the Second World War.
Lainey said: “They had a bed in the cupboard and they used to put a cushion between Nan’s legs to stop her knees knocking, as she was so scared!”
Elizabeth celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her niece and niece’s husband, who made a surprise visit from their home in Florida to join the celebrations.
Lainey said: “While all of her siblings have sadly passed away, Elizabeth remains at the heart of a close and loving family.
“She still enjoys regular lunches with her nieces and nephews.
“At 100 years old, Elizabeth’s life is still defined by the warmth of family, shared meals and the home that has always been at the heart of her story.”
