A great-great grandmother who has just turned 105 said said there were “no secrets” to old age apart from “common sense”.
Marjorie Rigby celebrated the milestone with family and friends over a glass of Baileys at her home in Dukinfield, in Tameside, Manchester.
She said it feels “no different” than she did when she was young, adding a life of keeping fit, with plenty of outdoor exercise, was the reason for her grand old age.
Mrs Rigby said she was planning to get to her 110th birthday, adding that “things go all awry” when she does not plan them.
Marjorie was born in 1919 and grew up in Stockport.
On her 21st birthday she got engaged to Charlie Rigby, just before he was called up to serve in World War Two.
The pair were married in May 1945 when he returned home, and were together for 59 years.
Before her marriage, Marjorie worked in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) as a plotter.
“We had to get it exactly right because if it was wrong our fighters would be off course” she recalled.
Her service has not been forgotten.
The Royal Air Force sent its congratulations on her birthday and thanked for her duty.
“It does make me feel good and important,” she said.
“I will treasure this for as long as I can”.
Marjorie also received a card from the late Queen for her 100th birthday and a recent one for her 105th from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Marjorie added: “I don’t feel old, other than physically. I can’t do what I used to do, and that’s the aggravating thing about growing old.”
Her advice to those younger than her was to “make sure you do something that you will enjoy when it is finished, or something that you can do and give to somebody who will appreciate it”.
Marjorie, who has five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter, spoke to the in 2022, when she finally discovered the resting place of her stillborn baby girl after 76 years.
She said at the time she felt a “sort of peace” to finally find her daughter’s grave.
