A SPRIGHTLY centenarian has celebrated her milestone birthday in the Chester home where she has lived for more than 40 years.
Lilah Chiswell, of Victoria Road, turned 100 on Saturday surrounded by friends and well-wishers.
As well as receiving a congratulatory telegram from The Queen, she was visited by representatives of Crewe-based charity the Railway Benevolent Fund.
She was presented with flowers and a cheque for £100 in recognition of her husband Cecil’s long service as senior clerk at Chester Railway Station.
Lilah was born in Wrexham in 1911, moving to Chester with her family as a baby.
She spent the Second World War working at Bollands Confectioners in Eastgate Street, where she was given the affectionate nickname ‘Shorty’ after her maiden name Short. She describes herself as ‘the last of the Bolland girls’.
After the war, Lilah continued working as a manager in shops, bakeries and a hotel and retired at the age of 66.
Lilah was married twice, to Arthur Jones and Cecil Chiswell. Sadly, Cecil passed away 30 years ago, only 11 weeks after the couple wed.
