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Marjorie Hodnett Aylward celebrates 112th birthday as UK's fifth oldest

Human interestHuman interest
Key Points
  • Marjorie Hodnett Aylward turns 112, making her the oldest in the North West and fifth oldest in the UK.
  • She celebrates with a royal message, tea party, and cake at Formby Manor care home.
  • Her life includes early years in London, marriages to two brothers, a teaching career, and diverse interests.

A special birthday message from King Charles is on its way from Buckingham Palace. Staff and fellow residents are throwing her a tea party with cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge, tea, and sherry, featuring a Madeira birthday cake freshly baked in-house by the care home's head chef. After the celebrations, she will enjoy a round of her favourite game 'Who Am I?' with staff and friends.

Marjorie Hodnett Aylward was born in Harleston, London, before later moving to Wembley. She met her first husband Stanley in 1939 at the Fellowship of Reconciliation and they married in 1941. Stanley died in 1955, and a year later she married his brother Hugh, who passed away in 1958, leaving her widowed for a second time at age 45. She worked as a reception class teacher for 23 years in Sidbury, Devon.

In later life, she moved to Formby to be closer to family, with her niece Maggie and great niece Katie as regular visitors. She recalls singing at the 1948 London Olympics ceremony and enjoys reading, writing poetry, painting, keeping up with current affairs, and is a keen rugby fan supporting Exeter Chiefs.

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Marjorie Hodnett Aylward celebrates 112th birthday as UK's fifth oldest | Reed News