Mary celebrates her special day

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Derrick Hannan and North Lanarkshire provost Jim Robertson wish Mary Gordon a happy birthday.

Mary began her working life aged 14 as a chambermaid for Sir Harry Lauder at Lauder Hall in Strathaven and worked her way up to being his cook until she got married to railway worker James in 1938.

The couple initially lived in New Stevenston before moving back to their home town of Motherwell, and during World War Two Mary survived the blitz during a visit to Clydebank that claimed the life of her brother-in-law Nathaniel Scott.

After her children, Alistair, Robert and Christine, had grown up Mary became cook for the directors at Motherwell Bridgeworks where she remained until her 70th birthday.

Mary, who has nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, latterly lived in Trust sheltered housing in Camp Street before moving to Summerlee five years ago.