An Isle of Wight woman who moved to a care home in Ryde earlier this year celebrated her 102nd birthday last Friday (September 20).

Ivy Tucker was born in London on September 20, 1922, and grew up in Lewisham.

On leaving school, she worked in The Times Newspaper Library, where she met many actors from both stage and screen.

Ivy was still in London at the outbreak of war and experienced The Blitz.

Ivy in her younger yearsIvy in her younger years (Image: Contributed) She remembers sheltering from the bombing, including being under beds with strangers, taking refuge in The Underground and even going into the vaults of The Bank of England.

Ivy met her husband pre-war and shared many dates in Greenwich Park.

When the war started, he was sent to France, and the pair would be separated until the end of the conflict after he was taken as a prisoner while fighting in Dunkirk.

During the same time, Ivy joined the Land Army and was posted to various farms.

After being reunited with her husband, the couple married and honeymooned on the Isle of Man.

In 1953, they moved to Maidstone in Kent and stayed in the same house until February 2024.

Ivy in her younger yearsIvy in her younger years (Image: Contributed) Ivy spent time as a housewife before getting back into work, working at the AA office, compiling route plans for members, and later for a firm of bookbinders. 

Her last job was with British Gas as a works assistant before retiring in 1982.

Ivy’s husband died in 1991, and she remained alone in the same house, only starting to need daily carers from 2021.

After becoming a widow, she took a trip of a lifetime, crossing Canada from east to west by train in 1996, something she always wanted to do – not bad for a 74-year-old! 

In February 2024, Ivy had a fall and required hospital care, but despite recovering, her mobilisation suffered, and she was deemed unfit to return home.

From hospital, she was moved to a care home in Sutton Valence near Maidstone and then to Victoria House in Ryde.

She has since said to a staff member that she is pleased she made the move down to the Island.

Ivy had a wonderful time celebrating her special day, enjoying her birthday cake and a visit from song and dance entertainer Maurice Kachuk.

Song and dance entertainer Maurice Kachuk with 102-year-old Ivy TuckerSong and dance entertainer Maurice Kachuk with 102-year-old Ivy Tucker (Image: Contributed)