Ivy Marchant lived through two World Wars, the sinking of the Titanic and man's first trip to the moon, but her most important goal in life was to be happy.

After 104 years and six months of living her life to the full, the centenarian passed away on May 25 at Tudors Residential Home, in North Street, Stanground, where she had lived for the past 13 years.

Mrs Marchant had many hobbies, which people believe kept her going for so many years, including dress-making, gardening and growing vegetables.

She also loved to spend as much time as she could in the fresh air, whether it be walking, cycling or just admiring birds and flowers while watching the world go by.

Throughout her teenage years, Mrs Marchant lived near Yaxley and went to the Hippodrome most Saturday nights.

After meeting her husband-to-be, Edgar, at a football match in the city, they married in 1925.

The couple didn't have any children and spent 60 happy years of marriage at The Glenn, in Fletton, Peterborough, until Edgar passed away in 1989.

Mrs Marchant's niece, Lorraine Fulford, who believes her aunt could well have been the oldest person in Peterborough, said: "She was a lovely lady, but a very independent woman. She had many talents and hobbies, including her sewing and dress-making skills."

The centenarian's family said there have been many scares over the years where they didn't think Mrs Marchant would see out another birthday, but she would always pick herself up again and delight everyone with her friendly and bubbly character.

Mrs Fulford said: "No one ever believed how old she was, because she stayed so active, she was like a greyhound. It was only after she reached 100 that she started to slow down."

Mrs Fulford said her aunts secret to leading a long and healthy life was just to be happy and enjoy the odd tipple of sherry.

She added: "My aunt and uncle lived for each other, and when he passed away we didn't think she would carry on but she did, she was a remarkable woman.

"But living to such an incredible age has it down points, as she outlived most of her friends and some of her relatives "

While celebrating her 103rd birthday last year, Mrs Marchant told The Evening Telegraph how she remembered Peterborough being very different.

She told of tales of how her father used to travel to work by horse and cart to his job in the brick pits.