A GOUROCK OAP had a ton of fun celebrating her 100th birthday with a family and friends.

Centenarian Nan Wallace marked the milestone occasion on Wednesday in the lounge of Alt-Na-Craig House in Greenock, where she lives.

She was surrounded by relatives – including her daughter Margaret McKay and son Professor Ian Wallace – as well as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Alan Dunnet, who presented the birthday girl with a card from Her Majesty the Queen.

There was also entertainment from the Clydeside Singers who donned Abba-inspired outfits and sang some of their hits, as the group is a favourite of Nan’s.

Her son Ian, who recently retired as the head of the Royal Military College of Science, travelled up from his home in Oxford to celebrate his mum’s 100th birthday.

He also delivered a moving speech about his mum’s life. It covered the highs – including an incredible voluntary career working with various organisations like the WRVS and the scouts, earning plaudits and a medal along the way – and lows of sad times such as losing her own mum when she was just 13 and the loss of her beloved husband John in 1989. 

Ian said: “She’s been an inspiration to all of us, the whole family. She has that ability just to pick herself up when she is down - and she’s been knocked down a few times. The reason she’s got to 100 is she’s a survivor and a battler.”

Nan was born in Greenock in 1916, during the middle of the First World War, and was brought up in Gourock.

She left Greenock High in 1921 to look after the house and family following her mother’s death. It was at the Cafe Continental where she met her husband John.

They got married, started a family and Nan moved to back to Gourock, living in Midton. The family were regulars at church and always walked there.

Ian said: “Mum was never late for anything.”

In later life, Nan took up bridge and was an avid player while also thrusting herself into voluntary work.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr Dunnet said: “It was very interesting to hear what Nan has done in her life, especially the voluntary work.”

Nan has two grown-up children, Ian and Margaret, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ian said: “She gave years of service to her community but most of all 100 years of love and devotion to her family.”