A KIMBERLEY pensioner with 39 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren will receive a letter from the Queen tomorrow.
Mary Ellen Moore is set to celebrate her 100th birthday with a party attended by more than 100 people.
A whole host of family members will be going to the event at Kimberley cricket club.
Mary's grand-daughter Abigail Moore said: "She'll be emotional and will be chuffed and happy that people are coming to see her. The whole family together. She'll really enjoy it.
"She's been going on about getting to 100 for three years now."
Mary, who has three children, has lived in the same area for many years.
Abigail said: "She's been on the Larkfield Estate, Nuthall, since 1948 and in her current house since 1971. She cooks, she cleans, she's struggling more now but she's still doing it. It's impressive.
"She's got a pet bird that's been with her for 22 years and she teaches it things like saying 'are you a pretty boy?'
"The only hobby she's got is her bird. It hasn't got a name, but she loves it."
"She has got dementia and it's getting worse now."
Her husband, Alfred died in January 1962 and Mary has lived alone since then. The couple were married at Heanor Church in 1939.
Abigail said: "She does cope well – when people go round she wants them to stay for longer.
"She said the secret to her long life is hard work – she doesn't smoke and hardly ever drinks. She's a magnificent woman, with so many stories."
Mary worked at the house of a family who owned a small supermarket in Kimberley for many years, not retiring until she was 82-years-old.
Abigail said: "After she retired she used to go to her friends' houses on the street and help them with shopping. She loves to help people and just didn't want to retire. She would just help anybody."
Mary's son, David Moore, 65, said: "I'm very proud of her, it doesn't happen to many people – not many experience it reaching 100."
