PETERSFIELD resident Mary Denny celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and a traditional birthday message from The Queen.
She was born in Coventry on November 24, 1917, not many days after the Russian Revolution began, which ironically heralded the end of the Russian monarchy.
Born during the First World War, she married architect Thomas Denny in 1941 during the Second World War.
The couple honeymooned in Hampshire, and planned to move here to live.
But due to her husband’s war work, and then his successful career, it wasn’t until 1986 that Mary was able to leave her home in Watford and move to the county.
She was one of the first residents of Grenehurst Way in Petersfield, before moving into Downs House in Reservoir Lane in 2012.
Since moving to the town, Mary has been a regular congregation member at St Laurence’s Roman Catholic Church in Station Road.
She also raised funds for Le Court Leonard Cheshire Home for the disabled near Liss by organising bring and buy sales, raising several thousand pounds for the home in the process.
Mary has three children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.