CELEBRATIONS were in order as a former children’s nurse turned 100.
Betty Cotterill Smith was joined by family, friends and staff from Prince of Wales nursing home in Shirley to mark her big day on July 27.
On her long-awaited birthday she was handed a number of gifts including flowers and a card from the Queen.
Alka Sahnan, home manager said Betty has been waiting for her 100th birthday since she turned 99 last year and she has been heard saying “I am going to be 100 soon.”
Betty grew up in Sheffield and moved to the Midlands in 1936.
She was a nurse at Sutton Coldfield Children Canweell Hospital and specialised on the premature baby ward.
She also worked as a mental health nurse in Hatton, near Warwick.
Betty married when she was 20 in 1940 at Sutton Parish Church and had her daughter Pauline four years later.
She also has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Over the years she has enjoyed collecting antiques, holidaying in Yorskhire and having her nails painted.
According to Betty the secret to a long life is: “Keep Going until you go out.”
