A RETIRED school dinner assistant and Winchester resident has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Dorothy Rowe marked the huge milestone with her friends and fellow residents at Brendoncare Meadway, in St Cross, Winchester, where a party was held for her on December 21.

Previously from Hyde, Dorothy attended St Bartholomew’s Primary School and St. Mary’s Senior School in Winchester.

During the Second World War she initially worked in a military uniform factory in Winchester before receiving engineering training in Southampton. She then worked for the duration of the war in an engineering works in Banbury making parts for military vehicles.

Dorothy married Frank Rowe in August 1945 and their son Earle was born in September 1946. She worked as a school dinner assistant at St. Bartholomew’s Primary School (subsequently St. Bede) from 1953 until her retirement in 1984.

She was a parishioner of St Bartholomew’s Church where she was baptised, confirmed and married and was a founding member of the Church’s Open Group which she attended into her nineties.

During her retirement she enjoyed regular trips out with Mervyn’s coaches and attended The Royal Artillery Association Club where she made new friends at both.

Speaking about her life, Dorothy said: “I am enjoying life at Brendoncare Meadway. I am very happy and comfortable here. I love it when my three grandchildren and five great grandchildren visit and relish the time I spend with them. They call me ‘Nanny Park’ because we used to live next to North Walls Recreation Ground, called ‘The Park’ to locals!”