Mrs Dorothy Comer celebrated her 100th birthday with an afternoon tea party on 18 April, attended by her family, friends, and fellow residents at Southwood Court in Basildon.
Dorothy, who has two sons and a daughter, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, moved to Southwood Court, our sheltered home for people who have retired from the printing industry, with her husband, Jack, 32 years ago.
When Prince Charles opened the completely rebuilt Southwood Court in 2001, the Comers’ flat was chosen to show him the facilities and they had a conversation with him.
Widowed ten years ago, Dorothy is still self-sufficient, preparing her own meals in her flat. She has had to give up knitting and embroidery due to her eyesight but she still does a crossword every day.
Dorothy worked in the hand finishing section of The Baynard Press, her husband worked for The Daily Mirror, her son-in-law is a print estimator, and her grandson is a printer.
Dorothy attributes her long life to being part of a very close family.