INVERCLYDE’S oldest resident has celebrated her 104th birthday — surrounded by five generations of her family.

Young at heart Margaret Doherty from Greenock enjoyed lots of love and laughter at a party held in her new home, Alt-na-Craig House.

Despite some health scares, the fiercely independent senior citizen stayed in her own house up until a year ago.

Now she spends her days in the company of new friends, including 102-year-old Elizabeth Alexander.

Margaret took time out of her very special day to spill the secrets to a happy, healthy and long life.

She said: “I would say definitely good food and lots of it.

“That’s what I enjoy.

“I also don’t smoke and drink.

“It is lovely to have all my family here.”

On her big birthday Margaret was joined by her son Michael, 75, who stays in Regent Court, Greenock, and her daughter Evelyn, 70, who lives in Slough.

Margaret lost her eldest daughter Veronica aged 68, four years ago.
She has nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and four great, great, grandchildren.

To add to the party surprises, Margaret was reunited with her grandsons Sean and Kevin Stirling, who flew in from the US to join the family for her big day.

Born in January 16, 1913, a year before the outbreak of the First World War, Margaret grew up in Ann Street.

A ropeworker, she met her husband Michael, from Culdaff in County Donegal, when he moved to Greenock.

They were married after Michael returned from serving in the Second World War and spent 51 happy years together before he passed away 27 years ago.

They raised their family of three, first in Ann Street and then Faulds Farm, where Michael worked as a labourer.

Margaret worked in the Gourock library as a cleaner and used to walk to the pierhead from the farm.

Her daughter Evelyn Daley, 70, said: “My mum is incredible. She lived in her own house until she broke her wrist last year.

“She has always loved a game of bingo and our family holidays to Ireland.”

Her son Michael, 75, added: “My mum is in good health despite having a few scares.

“She has been a hard worker all her days and used to walk miles to work.”

Margaret is the oldest ever resident at Alt-na-Craig. Owner Sheena Caplan said: “Margaret really is amazing.

“She is great fun and a real character, a lovely lady.

“It’s great watching her and her friend Elizabeth, who is 102, chatting away on the couch, looking after each other.”