Tribute to Raunds woman thought to be county’s oldest resident who has died aged 108

A Raunds woman believed to be Northamptonshire's oldest resident, who put her longevity down to her daily bacon and eggs, has died at the age of 108 years 10 months 5 days.

Daisy Bettles, who was born in Ringstead, had only moved into a care home when she was 105 and has been described as 'fiercely independent'.

The great-great grandmother died at Ashfield House care home, Raunds, of a non-Covid related illness.

Daughter Janet Partrick said: "She was a fiercely independent woman. One of her claims to fame was that she had eggs and bacon every day for breakfast. Streaky bacon and a fried egg. That was one of the stipulations when she went to the home that she could carry on with her egg and bacon.

"When she was over 100 years old the GP asked her to come in for a cholesterol test but we didn't see any point. She wasn't a cornflakes kind of person."

Born in 1911, three years before the start of the First World War, Daisy grew up in Ringstead with her two brothers, Ralph and Tom, and her sister Eliza.

She left school at 14 to work at the Ideal Clothing factory in Raunds before meeting butcher George Bettles, who she married in 1939.

Married life coincided with the start of the Second World War and George was called up into active service in the army around the same time that daughter June arrived in 1940.

After six years in the forces, Daisy, George and June were reunited. George returning to his job at Bellamy's Butchers shop in High Street, Raunds.

In 1951, daughter Janet was born. With their family complete, George and Daisy settled down to making the business a success buying the shop in 1959.

They worked there, Daisy helping make pork pies, until George's retirement and moved into a bungalow in Rotten Row with a large garden, where George grew his beloved chrysanthemums and kept his racing pigeons.

Creatures of habit, the couple would spend their factory fortnight in Great Yarmouth every year. George died in 1990.

Daisy moved into a park home at daughter Janet's arable farm in Higham Ferrers, living independently but helping with household chores and babysitting her grandchildren.

At the age of 98 she was persuaded to move into the main farmhouse where she remained until her care needs grew.

She moved into Ashfield House when she was 105 years old.

Janet said: "She needed a bit more care. She could be a bit difficult. Towards the end of her life she'd had enough. She couldn’t see or hear very well and she got bored.

"It was her time to go.

"She lived such a long time I think because she didn't smoke or drink and she ate plenty of fresh veg and meat."

Daisy and George had two daughters, Janet and June; grandchildren Simon, Katie, Troy and Colin, nine great-grandchildren Tyler, Curtis, George, Elizabeth, Margot, Jocelyn, Bethany, Kayleigh and Declan and one great-great granddaughter, Harper.

Daisy was born the same year as Ronald Reagan and Ginger Rogers. It was the year that the Titanic was launched in Belfast, Herbert Asquith was Prime Minister and that Norwegian Roald Amundsen won the race to the South Pole.

As of June 22, 2020 , the oldest person living in the United Kingdom is Joan Eileen Hocquard, who was born 29 March 1908.

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