So said York resident Rene Braithwaite, who celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends on December 28 at an afternoon tea party in St Lawrence Parish Church Hall.
She was born in the St Lawrence parish and it was there that Rene aided her mother in running a ‘Darby and Joan club’ after the Second World War, then latterly The Lawrence Street over 60s Club, which opened its doors for the last time in the spring of 2021.
That service spanning seven decades – with Rene’s only missed attendance being after a fall one Christmas when she was 90 – was recognised in the award of the British Empire Medal in 2021.
One of the centenarian’s nieces played a part in putting the special treat at the hall together, she said.
Rene said: “I had a wonderful two days in all.
“It was lovely with all my friends there – my niece said to me some time ago ‘just put a load of names down on paper’ – and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I hadn’t a clue what was going on but they wouldn’t tell me.
“It was such a nice surprise when I got into the church hall.
“They did it brilliantly – I couldn’t have been any happier if it had been at Buckingham Palace.”
Rene said there were 32 members of her extended family at the table setting, including great-nieces and great-great nieces, so many that she ‘couldn’t see the other end of it’.
One official at the church said: “Rene was in great form, her wit as sharp as ever and she spoke to everyone who attended.
“She is much loved by everyone that knows her and we were all so proud to have been able to share this special day with her.”
The last word went to Rene, who said she told her niece she’d rather put her put her pinny on than watch as the Saturday afternoon party drew to a close and things needed putting away.
Rene said: “I like doing, not sitting.”
