A FORMER seamstress who was born on the day that the nation mourned the death of Queen Victoria celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday.
Gladys Spence was surrounded by more than 20 relatives at the Gardens Nursing Home, in Darlington, and the champagne festivities were also attended by the borough's mayor, Councillor Dorothy Long.
Mrs Spence, one of three children, was born Gladys Hall in Darlington, where she has lived all her life.
Before she married, she worked as a seamstress at Mountfords, a tailor in the town, but gave up work when she married David Spence, of Spence and Co spice merchants, in September 1933.
The couple had twin daughters, Joan and Margaret, and have one granddaughter, Jane.
Mrs Spence lived in Elton Road until 1992, three years after she was widowed, and now lives at the home, off Salutation Road.
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