Tributes to Pendle's oldest resident, 105 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Tributes to Pendle's oldest resident, 105

10:00pm Friday 9th March 2012 in Fence By Chris Gee, Reporter

TRIBUTES have been paid to Pendle’s oldest resident, who died shortly after celebrating her 105th birthday.

Una Gartside, who was born on a farm in Fence before living in Nelson for more than 100 years, passed away in her sleep.

In the year of her birth, 1907, the first taxis with meters began operating in London and Marconi transmitted the first transatlantic radio communication.

Mrs Gartside, the widow of Robert, spent her working career in the weaving mills of Nelson, spending many years working at Jimmy Nelson’s.

Until her death she remained a keen seamstress and gardener.

Earlier in life she enjoyed watching Lancashire League cricket and local football as her husband was an umpire.

She lived independently on Bispham Road until the age of 99 when she had a fall while tending to her garden.

She spent her remaining years living at Andrew Smith House residential home in Nelson, where she tended to her own plot in the garden until her death on February 23.

In January, Una, who remained bright and active to the end, was the guest of honour at the Snow White panto in Colne, where the cast and school children serenaded her with a chorus of Happy Birthday.

She also hosted a tea party attended by The Mayor of Pendle, Coun Nadeem Ahmed.

Una told staff at Andrew Smith House her longevity was due to having “witches blood” as her mother told her they were related to Alice Nutter, one of the hanged Pendle Witches.

Val Lawson, deputy manager at the home, said: “Una will be sadly missed. She was a strong, independent character who was very popular with the staff and residents.

“She was involved in most of our activities and would even pay the occasional visit to the pub.

“It’s incredible to think of the changes that she must have witnessed during her long life.”

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