A FAMILY got together to enjoy a Prestatyn great-grandmother’s 100th birthday.
Susan Cooledge of Prestatyn joined three generations of her family at Highcroft Residential Home to celebrate her century last week.
Mrs Cooledge, who ran Cooledges’ shoe shop with her husband, Albert, enjoyed a buffet dinner and a musical feast, with a guest harpist and keyboardist.
Son Gordon, who also worked in the shop in Prestatyn before he retired, joined his sister, Jean Walsh, who lives in Kent and 40 other members of the family for the centenary celebration.
He said his mother, despite failing hearing and eyesight, had retained her independence and had only moved to the home last year.
He said: “She talks quite a lot and has her moments! The party went well, all the residents enjoyed it too.
“She and my father ran the shoe shop, and a store which dealt with repairs and fancy goods further up the street. They moved to Ruthin for a bit but came back to Prestatyn. They were always in the trade.”
Before Albert died the couple became keen gardeners. Mrs Cooledge was also a member of the Presbetarian Church and the Inner Wheel in Prestatyn.
She had three children, and has four grandsons and seven great grandchildren who are spread across the country.
Brenda Smythe, owner of Highcroft Residential Home, said Mrs Cooledge was a “lovely lady “ to look after.
She said: “Susan has quite a sense of humour. You can have a coffee with her and she’ll join in with the activities. She’s very alert, and gets involved in the quizzes.
She’s excellent at spelling and she loves to sing.”
Mrs Smythe said that Cooleges’ was part of the fabric of Prestatyn.
She said: “Everyone of a certain age group would have taken their children there to have their school shoes.”