Warwick retirement home resident celebrates her 100th birthday with her family and friends
A retirement home resident in Warwick recently celebrated her 100th birthday with her family, friends and fellow residents.
Frances Betty Picken (nee Pitcher), known as Betty, lives Rohan Gardens in All Saints Road and marked her centenarian birthday on September 19.
Born in Warwick in 1924, Betty started her special day with a card from the King followed by a party with her family, friends and fellow residents.
Betty also received a certificate from the Mayor of Warwick, Cllr David Skinner.
Sue Barnes, Betty’s daughter, said: “Mum had a wonderful day. One thing she always says is “If you’re nice to people, they will be nice to you”. I have to say it works for her, as all her carers love her.”
Betty clearly remembers watching the German planes going to Coventry in the Blitz and the sky being scarlet when the bombs destroyed the city.
Betty met and married Gerry in 1942. Early married life was in Wathen Road in Warwick followed by a move with their children Tony and Sue to the new Forbes Estate.
Later, a move took them to Leamington and then to Wellesbourne, where they owned the general stores.
Betty was a born shopkeeper, and even now her cupboards are in order.
From there they moved to Bournemouth, where they owned two different hotels before retiring, but commerce called again and they moved to Sandbanks to own a general store and off licence.
After retiring, Gerry died in 1996, but Betty remained in Bournemouth among her local family, friends and church.
Betty has four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and this year became a great, great gran.
In 2021, poor health meant that Betty returned to Warwick to live nearer to her daughter Sue and her husband Geoff, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sue added: “Betty has always been independent and living at Rohan Gardens, which is a Housing 21 scheme, gives Betty her own apartment with care, and enables the family to help with her care.
“As well as Betty’s 100th it is also Housing 21’s 60th anniversary this year, so it was a double celebration at Rohan Gardens.
“Betty is very happy there and enjoys seeing her local family regularly. Her care is excellent and she speaks very highly of all her lovely ‘ladies’.”