Peterborough's oldest resident passes away at aged 106

Gladys Elam, believed to be Peterborough’s eldest resident, has passed away aged 106.

Gladys lived in her own home and remained relatively independent throughout her life before passing away at her home in Stanground last month.

She has been described by her daughter Carole- who purchased the property next door with her husband Ellis- to help care for her mum as a “unique personality with a marvelous sense of humour.”

Carole added: “Mum was an incredible woman. She always had a smile on her face, she was such a fun character and was just marvelous.

"We’ve had plenty of sympathy cards, especially from doctors who have all said that they will miss her.

"She hardly had a day of illness in her life and it never occurred to her that she might die."

Gladys was born in Leeds during the First World War and came to Peterborough during WWII to work in the Land Army- an organisation created to bring women into the world of agriculture to continue production in place of men that had been called up to the military.

In doing so, she met her husband Bill and the pair went on to have two children, Carole and Eric and subsequently four grandchildren Shaun, Martin, Tracey and Debbie.

The pair moved to Eye and began working together at Perkins Engines together in the 1960s and went onto spend 65 years together before Bill sadly passed away 15 years ago.

From that point on, Gladys was cared for by her loving daughter Carole, which is believed to be one of the reasons she lived such a long and happy life.