Christmas Day extra special as Isle of Wight woman celebrates her 101st birthday

Myra's family including her daughter and grandson attended Inver House in Bembridge for her special day and brought along cakes and balloons to the party.

She was born in Adelaide Grove in East Cowes in 1917 and had two brothers, Oswald and David, now deceased. Her parents were Dorothy and Watson Chapman.

As there was not a phone or any transport available at the time, her father rowed across the River Medina to Cowes to fetch the doctor.

She attended Grange Road school in East Cowes and left school at 14 to become a shop assistant. She also worked at The Folly in Whippingham doing ply woodwork.

As a child, she was a member of the Girls Life Brigade and played a side drum in the band.

She married George Verity at St James's Church, East Cowes on August 3, 1940. They had a long marriage and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

George died three years later.

Myra and George had three children Michael, Pamela and Robert, and lived in East Cowes. She spent many years working as a dinner lady and cleaning teachers' houses.

She had many hobbies and enjoyed making things for the home including curtains and cushions as well as her own clothes.

She also enjoyed flower arranging and drawing flowers, along with keeping fit and cycling. She has always enjoyed the countryside, flowers, trees and the sea and has fond memories of picnics on the beach and swimming in the sea.

She moved into Inver House in May 2017 where she still enjoys taking part in daily activities.

Her family are important to her and she especially enjoys spending time with Pamela (pictured) and her Husband Terry.

She has three grandchildren who all remain in close contact, Mark Dominey is her first grandson and all he wanted was to spend Christmas day with his nan.

She also has nine great-grandchildren. She attributes her long life to hard work, enjoying her hobbies and having good family and friends.