In memory of Margaret Cooke aged 111

I have been very fortunate to have known Margaret Cooke who lived in Beaconsfield - she died aged 111 years old on March 18 being the third oldest person in Britain. She was born on 15th September 1900, when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

Over 30 years ago, I was helping organise holidays a couple of years running down in Rottingdean to which Margaret Cooke came - at over 8o then she had an amazing energy and sense of humour and participated in many of the activities we organised. I stayed in touch with her and have also visited several times since leaving the area - the last time was several years ago - she had barely left the upstairs room (otherthan for a hospital visit) for many many years but still had a wonderful visit and remembered well the holidays.

I learnt from another family member who visited her more recently that at her last birthday her family and friends, including Bucks Fire and Rescue, climbed up a ladder to her bedroom window to deliver a bouquet of flowers as part of the celebrations!

The oldest person in the UK, Grace Jones of Bermondsey, is just one year older than Mrs Cooke, having been born in 1899.