Five generations of women have come together to celebrate a great-great-grandmother’s birthday.
Jan Flaherty visited her grandmother at her Peacehaven home alongside Betty's daughter, great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter, describing how they brought the five generations together for the first time.
Betty was born in London in 1927 and has lived in Peacehaven for more than 30 years.
Jan, 52, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University, told The Argus: “My grandma is an amazing woman, with a fantastic sense of humour and fascinating stories from the war when she was evacuated and starting work in London at 14.”
Betty was joined on her special day on Friday, March 3, by her daughter Gwen, 75, her granddaughter Jan, 52, great-grandaughter Lily, 31, and great-great-granddaughter Amélie, who is two years old.
Betty was already the eldest of five generations 9 years ago when her great-great grandson was born, but Amélie makes the fifth generation of women on the same side of the family.
The 96-year-old is an excellent crafter and still crochets jumpers and blankets for any new additions to the family.
Betty had three children, Elizabeth, 79, Gwen, 75, and Maurice who sadly died more than 20 years ago in his fifties from a brain tumour.
She has nine grandchildren, fifteen greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Betty's mother died of tuberculosis when she was 28, when Betty and her sisters were young children.
They and their father then went to live with their grandparents.
Her father never remarried as he wanted to "look after his girls".
Jan said: "She talks about the wonderful summers in Worthing they had visiting their other grandma who was a housekeeper in service for two older Victorian women, who only left the house once a year on Christmas Eve to attend church.
"As well as her own mother, these women also taught her how to knit, crochet and sew.
Betty has been married twice.
She lived in Peacehaven with her second husband Maurice, who was in the services and then became a postman. He passed away 16 years ago.
Betty worked as a civil servant for decades until she retired.
She loves her garden and tends to it daily and continues to crochet when her hands allow.
Betty and Amélie were delighted to meet each other for the first time.
Two-year-old Amélie, not appreciating the rarity of her place in five generations, was more excited to help her great-great-grandmother feed the seagulls in her garden, said Jan.
Jan works remotely and lives in Wales near her daughter Lily who also lives in mid Wales. Her son Eden, who is 30 years old, lives in Lisbon. Jan's mother Gwen lives near Purley, Surrey.
"I remember visiting my grandma when I was Amélie's age, she'd always provide treats such as Skips crisps in little baskets and lots of toys to play with."
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