Isle of Wight woman celebrates 100th birthday at Newport care home

Betty May White was born in 1923 in Croydon and moved to the Island in 1933 when her father, a prison medical officer, was transferred to work at Parkhurst Prison.

After finishing school at Hunnyhill, she worked at Tomlinson's Grocers and Tobacconists on St James’s Street in Newport.

She later went to work at J. S. Whites in Cowes, in the planning office and switchboard, also stitching Spitfire seats during the war years. 

It was here she met John White, an aircraft fitter and well-known Island footballer, who also played semi-professionally for Leyton Orient.

They were married in June 1945 at Northwood and went on to have four children, Barry (Baz), Barbara, Roger and Colin (Fred).

On leaving work, Betty dedicated her time to raising her children and supporting her extended family, friends and neighbours.

She has always been a prolific knitter and has made enough baby clothes, jumpers, woolly hats and blankets to clothe the nation!

In addition to her four children, Betty has ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.