Wor Vera serenades great grandmother from her driveway as she spends birthday in isolation

After spending her last few birthdays in hospital, Mary Barker had looked forward to celebrating.
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But with coronavirus restrictions in place and her health leaving her vulnerable, her daughter Dianne had to think of a safe way to mark the event.

So she decided to bring the party to her mum, drafting in Mary’s favourite singer Deborah Taylor-Smith to perform on her drive.

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Mary Barker enjoyed a performance by Wor Vera, aka Deborah Taylor-Smith, on her 77th birthday.Mary Barker enjoyed a performance by Wor Vera, aka Deborah Taylor-Smith, on her 77th birthday.
Mary Barker enjoyed a performance by Wor Vera, aka Deborah Taylor-Smith, on her 77th birthday.
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Mary, now 77, has been a fan of the wartime tribute Wor Vera since Deborah sang during one of her much-loved weekly visits to Dairy Lane Care Centre, which are on hold due to COVID-19.

Dianne said: “This was going to be the first birthday in three years she wasn’t in hospital, but sadly because of coronavirus, we couldn’t do what we’d hoped.

“We can’t take her to the care home, but when I spoke to Deborah who does Wor Vera, she said ‘Dianne, I know your mam, I’ll be there.’”

Mary, who is originally from Hetton, suffered a health setback in April 2017, when she spent three months fighting sepsis in hospital, battling back to prevent doctors carrying out an amputation, while also undergoing dialysis and other treatments.

Mary Barker pictured with Deborah Taylor-Smith, who performs as Wor Vera, at a charity event at Hetton Lyons Cricket Club in November 2019.Mary Barker pictured with Deborah Taylor-Smith, who performs as Wor Vera, at a charity event at Hetton Lyons Cricket Club in November 2019.
Mary Barker pictured with Deborah Taylor-Smith, who performs as Wor Vera, at a charity event at Hetton Lyons Cricket Club in November 2019.
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After she began to learn to walk again, tragedy struck when she had a stroke, leaving her paralysed and need of another three-month hospital stay.

Mary, who worked as a machinist for companies which supplied Geordie Jeans and Marks and Spencer and as a cleaner at Hetton School, has since returned home to Easington Lane, where her husband of 55-years Mac, a former pitman at Herrington and Vane Tempest, Dianne and her son Fraser look after her with the help of carers.

She and her husband are well known in the area and fundraisered for numerous causes through the decades.

The couple used to dress as Santa and Mrs Claus as they decorated their home raising funds for Easington Lane Methodist Church, the Talking Pages and the Royal Society for the Blind.

Deborah Taylor-Smith entertained Mary and her family, as well as other wellwishers as they joined in the birthday celebrations.Deborah Taylor-Smith entertained Mary and her family, as well as other wellwishers as they joined in the birthday celebrations.
Deborah Taylor-Smith entertained Mary and her family, as well as other wellwishers as they joined in the birthday celebrations.
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Mary and Mac are also parents to Malcolm, Fred and Gary and are grandparents to Scott, Brett, Matthew, Lois and Fraser and have four great-grandchildren.

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Mary Barker celebrated her 77th birthday from a visit from Wor Vera.Mary Barker celebrated her 77th birthday from a visit from Wor Vera.
Mary Barker celebrated her 77th birthday from a visit from Wor Vera.

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