FAMILY members raised a toast to Joan Darlington to wish her all the best on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

The celebrations took place at Fountain Court in Davenham, Weaver Vale Housing Trust retirement/sheltered housing where Mrs Darlington has lived since 2003.

There to mark the special birthday were Mrs Darlington’s daughters Janice Sexton from Davenham and Carol Gleisner from Leeds.

They were joined by family members and friends, including Fountain Court residents, and representatives of the housing trust.

Mrs Darlington cut into a birthday cake, and received a number of gifts and a best wishes card from The Queen.

“There quite a few of her family and friends from Fountain Court there – it was very pleasant,” said Mrs Sexton, who attended with her husband Bob.

“Joan was very pleased to see everyone, and there will be a further celebration later this month when all the family can come together.”

Mrs Darlington has lived all her life in the Davenham area, and was born in 1916 at Leftwich Green to Frank and Marion Platt.

“Joan takes great pride in her family of two daughters and sons-in- law, her three grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren and their families,” said Mrs Sexton.

“She enjoys doing word puzzles and watching game shows and sport on the TV, especially tennis, golf and snooker.”

Mrs Darlington’s mother died when she was only one year old, and as her father was in the Merchant Navy she was brought up by her grandma with her elder sister Phyllis.

Mrs Darlington went to Davenham C of E School from the age of four, and passed a scholarship to Altrincham High School for Girls in 1927.

She was a member of Davenham Girl Guides and St Wilfrid’s Church, where she was christened and married, and later became a Sunday School teacher.

On leaving school at the age of 16 she worked in the Hollerith section at ICI Winnington, until she married at the age of 23.

She met her husband Geoffrey Darlington when she was 16, and he was a member of the church choir.

They built their own house in Hartford Road, Davenham, and moved there on their marriage in 1939, where they brought up their family.

“Joan was a member of Davenham Young Wives and the WI, and is still a member of the Mothers Union, which she joined in 1955,” said Mrs Sexton.

“As well as caring for her family she helped to run the family decorating and plumbing business and shop, and later had a part-time position in the hire department of her son-in-law’s garage.”

Mr and Mrs Darlington moved to a bungalow in Mount Pleasant Road in 1981, and Mr Darlington died in 1988.

Cap Mrs Darlington shows her best wishes card from The Queen