flowers yesterday after celebrating her 100th year last Thursday.

A party was thrown in her honour at the Packwood Home in Sandys, attended by her friends, her local Member of Parliament Terry Lister, and even the Gombeys. There was also a huge cake brought in to mark the special day.

Twice widowed, Hilda was born in Sandys parish on April 12, 1901 to Fredrick and Hephzbah Bickford.

She has survived her two younger sisters, Clara and Lorna, but never had any children of her own.

At the age of five she attended Mount Saint Agnes Academy, and after graduation went to work in a Hamilton store. In later years she worked as a nanny, where she picked up her nickname Aunty Lala.

A spokeswoman for the Packwood Home said: "Mrs. Cawthorne has been a joy to the staff and fellow residents. Aunty Lala, as we have come to call her, is a blessing to our facility.'' Hilda Marguerite Cawthrone celebrated her 100th year with a party at the Packwood home.