A woman from Moresby Parks has recently reached 100 years old.

Elsie Huddart celebrated her one hundredth birthday on December 28. Mrs Huddart is a resident of Emmaus House, a residential care home on Walkmill Close in Whitehaven.

Mrs Huddart was joined by her family members on the special occasion, including her daughter Barbara who remarked that her mother was in good spirits.

Caregivers from the home were also in attendance. Elsie was honoured with a letter of congratulations from Pope Francis and a telegram from Queen Elizabeth II.

Family and friends gathered on December 28 and again on her birthday the next day. Staff of Emmaus Care Home were present for the special occasion also. Barbara said that the staff at Emmaus are “very caring and very good to her”.

“They think the world of her” she said.

Elsie Huddart and her family lived at Lingla Bank in Frizington “for many years”. With her husband Jack McLoughlin she had six children; Jack, Elaine, Paul, Jennifer, Barbara and Peter. She worked as cook in charge at St. Joseph’s school.

Barbara said that “family is very important to her.” Elsie has 13 grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.