She was born before the Battle of the Somme and with war to rage across western Europe for another two years. Henry Herbert Asquith was Prime Minister and the NHS was still a distant 32 years away when Dorothy Unitt came into the world in Sutton Coldfield on June 18, 1916.
She moved to Birmingham, where she met her husband Bert and the pair were happily married for 15 years. Together they had a daughter, Shelia, before Bert died. Dorothy then moved to Solihull, and met her partner Maurice.
They moved to Stratford-upon-Avon together, spending 50 years married. Dorothy now has two grandsons and four great-grandchildren. Dorothy’s career saw her work as a clerk in the Rover car factory, and her hobbies have included going on daily walks, gardening, reading and going to St Andrew’s Church in Shottery in Startford-upon-Avon.
Now at the grand old age of 108, Dorothy is the 63rd oldest person in the UK according to the Oldest in Britain site – and the 56th oldest woman. She now lives at Care UK’s Ambleside care home in Evesham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, and revealed the key to her longevity. She said: “The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt in 108 years is to follow your heart and chase your dreams!
“Keep active and walk and walk some more.” She marked her birthday with a celebration at the care home and a visit from a Royal representative, the King’s Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Tim Cox.
Also attending were Dorothy’s daughter, Sheila, and son-in-law, Richard who came all the way from Middlesbrough after being collected by the team at Ambleside. Dorothy was also chuffed to get a birthday message from chef Gordon Ramsay and said: “wishes do come true even at 108!”
Ramsay was contacted by the lifestyle lead at Ambleside, Dawn Brown, who wrote to him on behalf of Dorothy explaining she has lived most of her life in Stratford-upon-Avon, which was where he went to school. Dawn said Ramsay was her ‘favourite chef’ and Dorothy had asked for a message for her 108th birthday.
He duly obliged and sent a video message which said: “It’s Gordon your favourite chef. First of all we have so much in common. Secondly, as you know I’m from Stratford-upon-Avon. But more importantly today I’d like to wish you an incredible 108th birthday. Honestly, you are a living legend. Take care, Lots of love.”
