Wimbotsham woman celebreates 105th birthday with carers from Total Care Norfolk she describes as ‘family’
A Wimbotsham woman who lives at home and receives domicillary care has celebrated her 105th surrounded by her care workers.
Emily Elizabeth Woodley, known as Betty, dressed up specially for her big day, receiving lots of flowers and also a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Betty receives double-handed care four times a day from Total Care Norfolk and last Thursday they spent time with her to mark the milestone birthday.
The care agency is owned by Susan Dickens and managed by Sharon Jones and both were present to celebrate their oldest client’s milestone birthday.
Sharon said: “She is awesome and we have looked after her for quite a few years.
“She is funny and supports the girls and she will sit and chat with them and they are laughing their heads off.
“She is unbelievable really. “
Betty said: “They are my family, they are all good girls.
“You can’t teach people to be a carer, it comes naturally to them. “
Born in 1918 in Dalston, East London, Betty has a devout religious faith, survived the Blitz and worked as a dress-maker on Regent Street.
She said: “It was dark during the second world war as we didn’t have the lights on in the evenings.
“Walthamstow was hit very badly with homes bombed and we saw Christmas puddings out on the streets.
“The Lord has inspired me since I went to Sunday School at the age of five.
“I went to technical college to learn dress-making and was given a scholarship of £3 so that I could afford to do it.”
Born to Elmer and Violet, Betty married Phillip Woodley and had a son, Christopher who joined the Navy.
She said: “One husband was enough, I will never get married again.
“I have had two offers since but I said no.
“If you find a good man, hang on to him.
“I was very proud of my son who travelled the world.”
Betty moved to Norfolk and lived in Downham before moving to Wimbotsham.
She has a neice Susan and a sister-in-law in Haverhill and her own grandmother, Hannah Hoadley, lived until the age of 114.
Betty said: “The Lord has guided my life all the way along, right from when I was a little girl at Sunday school.
“He has helped me to get over the hard times.
“I think Norfolk is lovely.”
Betty has an adventurous spirit exploring the countryside on her three-wheeler bike when she was younger and trying new hobbies later in life, including to learn the piano at the age of 78.
She said: “I started ballroom dancing at the Methodist Chapel at the age of 75 and got good at it.
“There would be people sitting down looking doleful and I would get them to have a go with me and get them going.
“I like doing jigsaws, look at the telvision and watch the birds in the garden.
“It doesn’t seem possible to be 105 and I now I just get tired.
“I am poorly with breathing and starting to have oxygen and I don’t like it.
“But it is thumbs up for the carers.
“They are my family.”
