Edna celebrates her 100th with party at Bury St Edmunds church

Edna Johnston celebrated her 100th birthday last weekend, securing her place as oldest resident at College Square in Bury St Edmunds.

The centenarian, who has two children, six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, was joined by family and friends for a Scrabble themed party at the United Reformed Church (URC) on Saturday - chosen because of her ‘Scrabble queen’ nickname and her ‘unbeaten’ record at the word game.

Her granddaughter, Kim Burgess, said: “I thought it was lovely for Nan because she had a happy gathering of lots of her family and friends.

“It was a chance to get together and for her to be the centre of attention.”

Her grandson, Paul Jones, said: “She quietly lapped it up. She really appreciated having everybody there.”

The mother-of-two, who moved to Bury 10 years ago to be nearer her Rougham-based daughter, Margaret Jones, continued the celebrations on Tuesday with a smaller party at the Guildhall Feoffment Trust-owned sheltered accommodation she is happy to call home.

“The whole year’s been her 100th year,” said Margaret, referring to a party held at the cathedral refectory in June, when Edna’s friends visited from her old home in Galleywood, Essex.

Edna, who received as many as 70 birthday cards, said: “It hasn’t registered yet. I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the people who have taken part in it and both my children who have done all this wonderful work. I’ve seen family I haven’t seen for years - that’s the best part.”

A widow of 40 years, she credits her longevity to hard work and staying active.

“I’ve done lots of things and been a lot of places,” she said, adding that she enjoys knitting for the URC’s shoebox appeal.