Long-standing Southwick resident celebrates 100th birthday

She celebrates her 100th birthday today, June 4, though not quite in the way the family had hoped, with a big party.

Gladys was born in Portslade, the youngest of four children and the only girl, having three older brothers.

She started work at the age of 14, first in a wool shop and then a chocolate shop.

Gladys then took a job at Flynn’s cleaners in Fishersgate, where she worked until she married Frank Beadle on October 7, 1939.

Frank was an electrical foreman and they had a son, Alan, and a daughter, Sue. Frank and Gladys were married for 47 years before he passed away on June 4, 1987.

Gladys has two granddaughters, two grandsons and six great grandsons, Harry, Declan, Callum, Liam, Benjamin and Thomas.

Sue said: “Mum lives independently with the help of a carer and the occasional help of my brother and myself.

“Unfortunately, due to current situation, we are unable to hold the party or get together we had hoped for.”

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