One of Leamington’s oldest ever residents and a loving mother

Annice Jenkinson, nee Watkins, was born in Court Street on October 21 1904.

There was no television, no computers, no mobile phones and horse drawn transport was still a normal way for people to get around.

Around the same time the New York Subway first opened, Edward VII was king, Theodore Roosevelt was president of the USA, the new play Peter Pan by J M Barrie had its premiere on the London stage and Scott commanded his first ship, The Discovery, on the National Antarctic Expedition and reached further south than anyone had ever done before.

This was before the attempt to reach the South Pole in 1912.

New inventions at the time were the Teddy Bear, neon light, cellophane and cornflakes.

Mrs Jenkinson went to school at St Peter’s in Dormer Place and started her working life in service at a house in Kenilworth.

But that was not for her and she left to work at Warwick Laundry, in Millers Road.

She also worked at Lockheed in Leamington during the Second World War, when the factory was used for making brake systems for aircraft and vehicles.

She also worked in catering at the Lord Leycester Hospital where she prepared for wedding receptions.

She met her husband Harry and they married in 1924 at St John’s Church.

The couple were members of Leamington Cycling Club and toured the south coast on holiday on a tandem.

They were keen dancers and enjoyed going to the theatre in Regent Grove.

They lived in Warwick until 1977 when they moved to Lillington to live with their daughter Joyce.

Mrs Jenkinson spent her finals days Four Ways care home in Lillington.

She had visited Four Ways for some years for respite and daycare and then became a resident in June 2009.

Staff at the home, along with her family and friends put on a special 109th birthday party for her in October, which included a special cake baked at the home’s kitchen.

Mrs Jenkison enjoyed the event and received plenty of gifts and cards including a telegram from the queen for the ninth time.

She died on December 4 after a short illness.

Her funeral takes place at Oakley Wood Crematorium’s North Chapel on Monday from 10am

Joyce said: “It is hard to believe my mother has gone and that I will not be visiting her at Four Ways anymore. “She was a loving and caring mother and took a great interest in everyone.

“She liked to hear the latest news about friends and family - a family that extends to six generations.”