Mabel celebrates her 100th birthday

Buy photos » Mabel Maries reads her card from the Queen to mark her 100th birthday. Picture by Neville Collins 44012032ncr. Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com.

FRIENDS and family from across the world flew to Redditch this week to celebrate a 'wonderful' woman's 100th birthday.

Mabel Maries reached the milestone on Tuesday (October 30) and will mark the occasion with a party on Sunday with her loved ones.

Born as Mabel Field in Albert Street in 1912, she was brought up by her mother May after her needle manufacturer father died when she was just four. They then moved to Old Mill House which was demolished just before the Second World War to be replaced by the original Mettis factory.

Mabel married Richard Maries, known as Tom, in 1936 in St Stephen's Church. They had three children - Angela, Robert and Philip - seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, who now live in New Zealand and came back for her birthday.

Her son Philip said: "Mabel has - and still does - lead a full life. She has lived through two World Wars and she and Tom enjoyed holidays and travelling Europe, the Middle East and Canada.

"Mabel has been a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. Her calm disposition is an inspiration to all who come in contact with her."

Regional news »