DORA Godfrey celebrated her 100th birthday just a couple of hundred yards from the Dunstable house in which she was born.
The active centenarian partied late into the night with about 35 friends and family in a packed-out lounge area at her home in Eleanor’s Court, Albion Street.
Charming Dora, who spoke like a lady half her age, said: “It’s a lovely big space, we had lots of tea and a glass of sherry.”
Born in Edward Street, Dora Money earned a scholarship to Luton Modern School before working as a telephonist at the Post Office in Luton, where she met Ewart Godfrey.
They wed in 1938 at St Paul’s Methodist Church in Dunstable and the couple moved to St Albans.
The outbreak of the Second World War on the couple’s first wedding anniversary meant Ewart had to move away – stationed in Cairo and later Dunkirk – while Dora went to work at Schweppes.
Dora moved back to Dunstable after Ewart’s death in his 50s, just 18 months after seeing his daughter Judith get married.
Dora said: “I remember children being free to wander over the fields – we used to be sent off in the mornings with sandwiches and not return until the evening.
Dora has two children, Judith and Trevor, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren – Daniel, six, and Lauren, four.
Dora told the Gazette the secret to a long life is: “Take it one day at a time. There will be ups and downs but always try to keep happy.”
