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Greta Saunders at 100
Greta Saunders of Huntercombe Lane South, Taplow, celebrated her 100th birthday on 1st September 2010 at a tea party in the garden with many friends and family. She was proud to receive a card signed by Queen Elizabeth and overwhelmed by all the flowers, cards and gifts that she was given. She cut the birthday cake made by a friend, Mrs Judy Norbron, and everyone toasted her good health with champagne.
Greta was born in a small village in Essex, the youngest of four children, and had a free and happy childhood where life centred around the parish church and school. Her family were regular churchgoers and she eventually married Bernard, a choir member, whose father was choirmaster and mother the organist. Greta worked as a milliner in London until her marriage in 1938.
Their only child, Christine, was born during the war and the family spent some years in South Wales where Bernard was stationed. Back in Essex after the war the family attended their local church every Sunday where Bernard was choirmaster. Greta joined the Townswomen’s Guild and was always baking, dressmaking, jam-making, etc. A thrifty, practical person! In the 1950s the family went to the West End to see all the musicals – a love of which she has to this day.
They moved to Buckinghamshire in 1971 to be nearer family and became members of High Wycombe Parish church where they enjoyed the exceptional choirs. When they moved to a flat in their daughter’s house in 1983 they soon joined St Nicolas’ church which their daughter attended, for the same reason. Unfortunately, Bernard died the following year but Greta was comforted by having her family so close and soon made many friends in the Mother’s Union and Women’s Institute. Always clever with her hands she was constantly knitting little vests and shawls for Mother Theresa’s Homes and continued this work until arthritis made it impossible.
Her great love of choral music was enriched by a friend from Burnham, the late Len Burgess, who asked her to the concerts given by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir, of which he was a member. She enjoyed these immensely and made some more Welsh friends in the process.
When asked the secret of her longevity she said that she has always enjoyed the simple things in life – never expecting too much and being grateful for life’s blessings. In the last few years she attributes her sharp mind to her two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who would notice if she appeared ‘ancient’.
A remarkable 100-year-old lady!