Popular Sunderland great-grandmother celebrates 100th birthday

Myrtle May Wild, who lives in Tunstall Village, celebrates her 100th birthday on Saturday, April 17 with choir performances and heartfelt virtual messages as lockdown restrictions ease.

The centenarian, who was born in the Castletown area, worked as a chambermaid at Sunderland’s Grand Hotel during the Second World War.

Speaking to the Echo four years ago, Myrtle told the story of air raids and how staff and guests alike would head for cover whenever the sirens blared out.

Aged 21, Myrtle married Harry Laycock, who was in the RAF, and cared for him before he tragically died of MS three years later aged 31.

She then went to work at Harrisons, a general grocers, where she met bus driver William Wild.

When trying to buy tickets for a dance William asked Myrtle on their first date to ABC Pictures.

The pair tied the knot in July 1948 and had two children, Wendy and Jean, but in 1968 William suffered a fatal heart attack.

Daughter Jean Wild said: “When my dad died 53 years ago it was sink or swim and she just used to get on with things. My mam had to struggle to bring us up but she always looked after us so well.

"She’s worked hard all of her life.”

Myrtle worked until she was over 70-years-old caring for a family who became lifelong friends

She became involved in the Methodist Church in Silksworth and has been a speaker over the years.

Before the pandemic, she’d organise coffee mornings and one Saturday a month Myrtle would make Granny Loaves and coconut haystacks – cooking for a whole week beforehand.

Myrtle – who has a granddaughter Nicola and great granddaughter Ava Mae, 16 – remains active and Jean says ‘you wouldn’t think she is 100’.

Jean said: "She’s very well liked and is really involved in the church. She’s received so many cards and birthday wishes, she knows so many people.

"She does anything for the church and she has a lot of faith. She had such a lovely personality and never argues or falls out with anybody – she is just a really good person. She has a heart of gold.”

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