Elsie Steele
Encyclopedia
Elsie May Steele was, at age , the oldest person in the United Kingdom and the oldest person in England following the death of 111-year-old Annie Turnbull
on 3 September 2010.
Steele was born at Midway near Swadlincote
as one of nine children born to Joseph and Bertha Fletcher. After leaving school at 13, she worked as a housekeeper in Leicester
. She married her first husband Reginald Hackett in 1920, and had two children; Trevor Hackett (deceased), and Beryl Fairbrother. Steele later worked in a munitions factory in near Burton-upon-Trent. When she was 69 years old, she married her second husband Wallace Steele.
At age 108 Steele remarked "I plan on staying around for a bit yet. Old age is golden and I intend to make the most of it. I’m in good shape. I love to walk, the staff are always wondering where I’ve got to". When asked her secret to a long life, she credited hard work, avoid beer, and to not swear. She also said that she tries to concentrate on the "happy times".
On her 110th birthday, Steele recited a poem by Pam Ayres
about the joys of old age.
She had 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
She died on 18 October 2010 in Repton
.
Annie Turnbull
Annie Ellis Turnbull was, at the time of her death, aged , the oldest person in the United Kingdom since the death of Eunice Bowman on 16 July 2010. Turnbull had been the oldest person in Scotland since the death of Alexina Calvert on 19 September 2008...
on 3 September 2010.
Steele was born at Midway near Swadlincote
Swadlincote
Swadlincote is a town and unparished area in South Derbyshire, about southeast of Burton-upon-Trent and about south of Derby. It is the main town of South Derbyshire and the seat of South Derbyshire District Council....
as one of nine children born to Joseph and Bertha Fletcher. After leaving school at 13, she worked as a housekeeper in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. She married her first husband Reginald Hackett in 1920, and had two children; Trevor Hackett (deceased), and Beryl Fairbrother. Steele later worked in a munitions factory in near Burton-upon-Trent. When she was 69 years old, she married her second husband Wallace Steele.
At age 108 Steele remarked "I plan on staying around for a bit yet. Old age is golden and I intend to make the most of it. I’m in good shape. I love to walk, the staff are always wondering where I’ve got to". When asked her secret to a long life, she credited hard work, avoid beer, and to not swear. She also said that she tries to concentrate on the "happy times".
On her 110th birthday, Steele recited a poem by Pam Ayres
Pam Ayres
Pam Ayres MBE is an English poet, songwriter and presenter of radio and television programmes. Her 1975 appearance on the television talent show Opportunity Knocks led to a variety of appearances on TV and radio shows, a one woman touring stage show and performing before the Queen.-Early life:Pam...
about the joys of old age.
She had 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
She died on 18 October 2010 in Repton
Repton
Repton is a village and civil parish on the edge of the River Trent floodplain in South Derbyshire, about north of Swadlincote. Repton is close to the county boundary with neighbouring Staffordshire and about northeast of Burton upon Trent.-History:...
.