TURNING 100 years old is a big achievement in anyone’s life, but Cathy McRae says that she wouldn’t do it again.
“Somebody said wait till you’re 110. I told them I’d die right now if I thought I’d live another 10 years!”
Born and raised in Possil Park in 1919, Cathy celebrated her centenary yesterday at Queens Cross Housing Association, where she has been a tenant for 41 years.
“My daughter took me to Helensburgh for my birthday. We went around all the charity shops. It brought back memories – that’s what we used to do on a Tuesday.
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Glasgow gran Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Gray reveals secret to long life at 100th birthday celebrations“We took the wheelchair and while I was in the charity shop my grandson sat out in it and got sunburnt!
Cathy has two daughters, Carol and Elizabeth, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
“The wee one is 14 going on 40!” Cathy says. “My youngest daughter had a phone call today about the Queen’s card. A second card comes from the Secretary of State. I said all we need is Boris Johnson to send one and we can make it a treble. An exciting treble!”
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Glasgow woman Mary Sullivan enjoys 100th birthday celebrations with familyCathy worked as a bookbinder straight out of school, and at Shaw & McInnes’ ironfounders during the war, doing manual labour. “It was heavy, heavy work. We were lifting 15-foot pipes”, Cathy said.
She retired after getting married. “My husband died when he was 54. It’s a long time to be on your own, but I made my own way. I still went to the dancing. I put my locket on today”
Cathy pointed at a locket around her neck, with a picture of her late husband inside.
“I brought my man for company”.
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A tale of two Bettys: Glasgow pals celebrate their 100-year milestone in styleShe is clearly popular, there was not one person who walked past without having a chat and it’s never a goodbye, but ‘I’ll see you again’.
Cathy claims that she doesn’t have a secret to living a long and happy life apart from hard work, staying away from drink and – porridge.
“I like it the old-fashioned way – water and a wee drop of salt. Stir it until it’s smooth. Nobody else can make it like me!”
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