Nellie Gillespie, latterly of Bucksburn, was born as the First World War still raged and went on to enjoy 105 years of good health.
The former postie-turned-cleaner moved home aged 99 and was still living alone until she moved into Drumdarroch care home, Insch, when she was 103.
Nellie and her husband, retired dairyman/gardener, Charlie, enjoyed 73 years of married life until he died in 2013.
She was born in a small cottage at Gurgedyke, Methlick, the second child of Alexander and Elizabeth Morrison.
The family moved to Hatton Slap, Barthol Chapel, where her father settled for many years and she grew up with siblings, Sandy, Fobbie, Jimmie, Mary, Betty and Bill.
School years
They all attended Barthol Chapel School then, at the age of 12, Nellie was sent to stay with her grannie at Kelly, Methlick, to help her with daily chores.
At the age of 13 she returned home to look after her brothers and sisters when their mother died. Bill was only three years old at the time, and he and Nellie remained close throughout their lives. Bill, at the age of 96, is now the last survivor of that generation.
As a young woman, Nellie and her friend Fannie thought nothing of travelling miles on their bikes to go to a dance after curling their hair with tongs heated on the fire.
Marriage
It was at one of these country dances that she met her future husband, Charlie, and they married in January 1940.
Married life began at Hatton Castle for a while where son Charles was born before Charlie’s work took them to Ladysbridge Hospital, Banff, before a move to Mackie’s of Westerton.
The next move was to Crichie, Inverurie, where Lorna was born before the family relocated to Glasgoforest, Kinellar, where they lived for 13 years.
While at Glasgoforest, Nellie took a job as a postie which she thoroughly enjoyed. Her round took in Fintray as well as Kinellar and she relished keeping fit and being out in all weathers.
The family then moved to Blackburn where they stayed for another 13 years during which time Charles got married to Dorothy and Gary, the first and only grandchild, was born.
The next move was to Bucksburn where Nellie made many more friends and began work as a clearner at Craibstone and The Beacon.
Charlie and Nellie enjoyed many holidays with friends traveling around Scotland later further afield to Norway, Holland and Spain.
Daughter Lorna said: “Following their platinum wedding anniversary, mum and dad were invited to a garden party at Holyrood. Dad couldn’t go so I went with her. We got near to the Queen but did not meet her.”
When a close friend died, Nellie relocated to Kintore to be nearer daughter Lorna and got a flat at Provost Lawrence Court.
Centenary
She celebrated her 100th birthday in her new home then emerged safely from the Covid pandemic when she maintained social contact by greeting visitors through her window.
After we published Nellie’s 100th birthday photograph, her old school, Barthol Chapel, invited her as the oldest surviving pupil to help open its community garden. She was pleased to do so and was able to say she had been in all three Barthol Chapel school buildings.
In an interview on her birthday she attributed her longevity to good humour.
Her daughter, Lorna said that despite moving into the care home, her mother still craved her independence.
“Until recently, she joined in the activities at the home and enjoyed days out in their bus. Mention of a day out and she was first at the door. She was always happiest when her family and friends visited her there. My mother had a good, caring and happy life.”
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