To be able to honour ones centenary is quite an exciting achievement but to top that with a 103 year old birthday celebration, as Royston resident Annie Doyle Mascarenhas accomplished last week, is indeed a milestone.
Annie, the oldest and a very reverred member of the Royston Indian Society, has lived in the town since 1981. Surrounded by family members and a large number of her many friends, she happily cut into her birthday cake which had been specially made for her.
Highlights of the evening were when she was joined by the current Royston Mayor, Cllr John Rees, and two former Mayors, Lisa Jayne Adams, and Cllr Mary Anthony, who also organised the celebration, with her children singing ‘Happy Birthday’, and ‘Showers of Blessings’.
Annie was born in Jamalpur, India in 1922. She studied in Patna and trained and worked as a nurse in the army where she met her husband, Danny. After the end of the Second World War the couple and their son, John, emigrated to England in 1948, where her daughter, Angela was born.
Annie has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom she greatly misses as they live across the pond in Canada and the States.
Cllr Mary, in a tribute to Annie, said “ She has always had an almost childlike belief in God’s Loving Care, and through thick and thin her faith has been unshakeable. Since making Royston her home she has enjoyed the strong support of her friends in the prayer group and the community. 103 is an extraordinary milestone and a testament to a life well lived. Your wisdom, resilience, and stories are a treasure to everyone who knows you. Here’s to celebrating all you’ve accomplished and all the love you’ve shared over the years. Wishing you happiness and good health always.”
Copyright – Article & photographs – Clive Porter
Photos – If you are interested in owning any of these photos, please call Clive Porter: 07594 259 410
