Four generations of a Paisley family came together to celebrate their matriarch’s 100th birthday.
Annie Burnside marked her centenary with family and friends this week with a party at Speirsfield Gardens sheltered housing.
The great, great, great grandmother, who spent most of her life in Gallowhill, enjoyed the soirèe, music and good food surrounded by her loved ones and fellow residents.
Styled on the tea dances that Annie used to enjoy in her youth, the party also featured singer Angela Duncan from Paisley FM, much to the delight of the music lover.
Alison Connelly, sheltered housing officer, told the Paisley Daily Express: “Annie is very sociable. It was difficult for her when she moved in with us during the pandemic but she has settled in very well now, has come out of her shell and has gotten to know everyone.
“During the party she was the centre of attention and she was glowing. I went to see her the next day and she was so chuffed everyone enjoyed themselves.
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“She has a house full of cards and flowers and it’s been nice to see everyone make a fuss of her.”
Born on September 26, 1922, Annie grew up in Paisley in the aftermath of World War I and worked as a shop assistant in various outlets in the town.
She married her husband John Burnside in 1941 and eldest daughter Christine followed in 1943, Anne in 1947 and Tommy in 1948.
The family lived on Bruce Street, with the two eldest girls later moving to Oklahoma, United States and Toronto, Canada.
Her husband John died in 1990. Many of Annie’s grandchildren and great children joined son Tommy at the event.
He said: “The party was great. Mum loved dancing and would have gone to tea dances and local clubs with her pals up until a few years ago.
“It has been great to celebrate her birthday and mum really has kept so well over the years.”
Incredibly independent, Annie goes for a walk every day around the complex and attends a weekly exercise class and the Thursday night bingo.
Her family are incredibly important to her and she keeps in touch with her two eldest girls, who she used to visit regularly.
She also loves to hear about her five grandsons who live overseas, as well as seeing Tommy’s children Amanda, Gary and Brian, as well as her youngest, great, great, great granddaughter, five-year-old Arabella.
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