Colchester woman Ruby Goodwin marks 100th birthday

Ruby Goodwin, who has lived in Colchester all her life, still lives independently in the town in the home she has lived in for 40 years.

Her niece, Theresa Valaydon, 64, of Littlecotes, Mile End, Colchester, said despite her aunt’s advanced years, she is still both physically and mentally active.

She said: “She’s just an amazing lady, really. She’s just so positive in life.

“She’s up in the morning at 6.30am, she’s cleaning, doing the housework – if she can do it, she will do it.

“Her brain is still perfect. She doesn’t treat herself like she’s 100 at all.”

Mrs Goodwin is still independent.

Mrs Valaydon said: “Her independence is what keeps her going. I go and help her with hoovering during the week, because if she does it it’ll hurt her back, but apart from that she does everything herself.

“She goes to the hairdressers, she gets her nails done.

“When I take her to the bank she goes does all her own financial things.”

Mrs Goodwin worked in a munitions factory making parts for war vehicles and submarines throughout the Second World War.

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Ruby Goodwin serving in the paper shop on Sheregate Steps in Colchester

She married her husband George in 1942 while he was serving in the war, but as there were no priests available to conduct the marriage ceremony, a bishop married them instead at Leonard’s Church in Hythe Hill.

Having lived in Colchester all her life, Mrs Goodwin has developed a soft spot for certain restaurants she frequents with her family.

“She still goes to all sorts of restaurants,” Mrs Valaydon said.

“She likes the Rover’s Tye at the top of Ipswich Road. Because of her age we’ve kept her quite safe, of course, but now she’s venturing out a bit more. And she loves clothes shopping.”

Mrs Valaydon added: “She puts her feet up in the afternoon and watches a bit of telly or reads Woman’s Weekly, and she comes to see us on a Sunday and have a couple of glasses of wine.

“She loves to watch Chelsea football matches and England matches too. She’s still into all that still.”

Mrs Goodwin remains close to her family and neighbours, many of whom will be attending her birthday celebrations at the Belle Vue Social Club later this month.