Friday 13th baby girl has had enough luck to last her one hundred years

BEING born on Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some - but not for Leamington grandmother Edythe Hancock, who has now lived to be 100.

On Wednesday friends and family gathered for a party at Albermarle Rest Home in Kenilworth Road, where she now lives, to celebrate the milestone.

Born on July 13 1911, Mrs Hancock lived in the same house in Darlington for 70 years and became well known in her neighbourhood. She was married to her husband Sidney for 63 of those and, while he was away in the army during the Second World War, Mrs Hancock ran their family drapery business for four years.

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Her son Malcolm said: “Most famously, while on air raid duty for the neighbourhood, she managed to sleep right through the only German air raid Darlington actually suffered!”

A member of Elm Ridge Methodist church, Mrs Hancock, who has two children and four grandchildren, was also a founder member of her local village club and enjoyed playing bridge.

Malcolm Hamock said: “Above all else Edythe has always been loved for her unflagging energy, her radiant smile and her willingness to see the best in everyone.”

Albemarle Rest Home manager Shelley Foster, who has known Mrs Hancock since she moved to the home in October 2007, said: “Edythe had a big stroke just over a year ago but she bounced straight back. She still has a laugh and can tell you off if she wants to and only recently stopped writing her own cards.

“Her daughter Susan visits from Sweden six to eight times a year and Malcolm is here two to three times a week. They are a very close family.”

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