Jessie celebrates 100th birthday with card from the Queen

Among her many cards, Mrs Reece received one from the Queen and one from comedy legend Ken Dodd, who is a neighbour of her son, Martin.

She was born in Scotland a century ago, but then came to live in England aged 11. She met her husband, Alfred, when they lived in Lincoln and she married at 23.

Alfred was a firefighter and, after working in Lincoln, Coventry and Liverpool, became fire chief at Burnley Fire Station. worked at the Woolworth store in Coventry before moving North.

The couple lived in a fire service house in Burnley but, when Mr Reece retired in 1970, they moved to Robinson Lane, Brierfield. Following her husband’s death in 1981, Mrs Reece moved to Reedley but is now in the Nelson Grange Care Home in Barkerhouse Road.

Her son Martin has also been a firefighter in Liverpool, and his brother, Paul, is an art teacher. Grandson Ben is a police officer in London.

Many friends and family members, as well as Mayor Coun. Graham Roach, joined Mrs Reece’s birthday celebrations, during which she received many cards, flowers and presents.