A grandson to a “loving and caring” centenarian great-grandmother has paid tribute to her after she died earlier this month.
David Gray, 44, remembered his nan, Jean Fenner, who on April 18 celebrated her 100th birthday.
Jean was a resident at St Katherine Care Home in Bitterne Park and on her special day she received a card from The King before 100 cupcakes arrived in time for a big family party.
Her granddaughter Lianne told the Echo then that despite dementia, “she was still so happy”.
She died on July 18, leaving behind her daughter Jean, six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
READ MORE: 'Lovely and kind' great-great grandmother celebrates 100th birthday
David, Jean's grandson, highlighted his favourite of his nan’s characteristics as her being "always happy and content with the simple things in life."
He said: “She was very loving and caring. We were talking about the other day with the lady doing the funeral she was a person who never seemed to be in a bad mood. She was happy with the life she had.
“She loved the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren. She loved them and used to light up when she would see the babies.”
Jean was born on April 18, 1924, when George V was on the throne. There were three Prime Ministers that year - Stanley Baldwin, Ramsay MacDonald and then Stanley Baldwin again.
Originally from Kent, Jean worked in the fields farming potatoes during wartime.
She then lived in Bournemouth before her late husband Roy's job as a bus driver brought the family to Southampton.
Jean had a cleaning job at The Docks for many years and later volunteered in the League of Friends shop at The Royal South Hants Hospital.
To honour her love for knitting and crochet, the family has chosen a wicker coffin in which the great-grandmother will be laid to rest.
As well as this, she will be arriving at the crematorium to the sound of birdsong, which will “reflect her love for birds”, David added.
He added his thanks to the staff at St Catherine Care Home, including Sini, who looked after her for the last few years.
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