A WOMAN from Llandudno celebrated her 100th birthday with a surprise party in the company of her entire family last weekend.
Elsie Jones, who lives by the West Shore, turned 100 on Saturday (February 25), and to mark the occasion, her loved ones gathered at the Llandudno Bay Hotel.
In attendance were her three daughters, five granddaughters, one grandson and eight great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is also called Elsie, who is two years old.
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Glenda Rigg, Elsie’s daughter, said her mother thoroughly enjoyed an emotional day celebrating with her family.
She said: “It was absolutely fantastic. We told her she was going for a meal, and she was quite happy with that, but when we walked her into the room, her whole family was there.
“I was quite choked myself to see everybody; they started singing ‘Happy Birthday’, and there were quite a few tears from people… it was a little overwhelming.
“My sister, Jacqueline, did a speech at the party, which really got my mum down to a T.
"My mum was taken aback; she wasn’t expecting it at all.”
Elsie grew up on a farm in Llanfair Talhaiarn, and married Hugh, a paratrooper, who she lived with at first in Penrhyn-side.
There were married for more than 60 years prior to Hugh’s death.
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She used to drive a milk float, delivering milk to residents in Llandudno and Penhryn Bay, and also worked part-time at the old Marks & Spencer store in Llandudno on Mostyn Street.
Elsie was also delighted to receive a telegram from King Charles III congratulating her on reaching 100.
Glenda said: “She’s always been really lovely and animated with the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.
“She’s so caring and unassuming.”
Jacqueline added: "She is a lovely, kind lady, who has never had a cross word with anyone, and is adored by all of her family.
"She doesn’t like any fuss, and kept telling us not to tell anyone her age, even as we were going up the steps to the hotel.
"Needless to say, she was a little overwhelmed to see everyone, and was amazed they had travelled from all over the country to surprise her.
"She loved watching the little ones play, and thoroughly enjoyed the day."
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