106 year-old Kate is still in her prime

For most people making it to their 90th birthday would be seen as a major achievement but Glapwell woman Kate Gee reached the milestone 16 years ago.
Kate Gee celebrated her 106th birthday on SaturdayKate Gee celebrated her 106th birthday on Saturday
Kate Gee celebrated her 106th birthday on Saturday

She celebrated 106 years of life on 4th January with family and friends at Shirebrook Care Home New Basset House, where she lives.

Her granddaughter, Angela Aldread (53), of Glapwell, said: “It was lovely. She had a lovely birthday cake with lots of cards and presents and she really enjoyed having her photo taken by the Chad.

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“And she was visited by friends she had not seen for a while.”

Kate was born in Doe Lea, near Glapwell, to one-time Mansfield mayor Caleb Brown, and after leaving school aged 13 went into service as a live-in maid but was forced to give up work to look after family when her mother died.

In 1928 the mother-of-one married Glapwell miner Ernest Gee, who died in 1972, aged 68. The pair moved around a bit, eventually settling in Bramley Vale.

Kate, who was known to many as Aunty Kate, was a devout methodist for much of her life and still enjoys daily readings from staff at the Park Avenue care home.

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Said Angela: “She is not able to walk but is very happy and is always pleased to see everybody.

“She is very close to all of us and a really warm and loving person.”

Angela put Kate’s long life down to a belief in God and never smoking, drinking or gambling.

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