THE daughter of a Chirk woman who lived to be 107 years old believes she and her family were ‘lucky’ to have had her in their lives.

Rita Evans, known to her family and friends as ‘Nanny Evans’, passed away on June 7 at Chirk Court Residential Home after a life spanning a century.

Marian Pearce, Nanny’s daughter, said she was prepared for the news, which has still come as a shock.

“I’m OK, and my middle daughter is OK, but everyone else is upset,” said Marian.

“I’ve been preparing for this for about 12 months; everyone said she would bounce back but this time I didn’t think she would.

“In the past, mum has been given 24 hours to live, she’s been given 48 hours to live, but she always bounced back.

“She had a nasty bump on her head and I didn’t think she would.

“But she died peacefully in the home she wanted to be in, she was comfy, relaxed and died in her sleep.

“It was a dignified way for her to die and that’s what I wanted. There were no wires or drips and that’s fine.

“I’m very honoured that I had my mum for more than six decades – that’s what I told her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great-grandchildren.

“They were lucky to have known her.

“Her last great-great-grandson, Tommy, was born a few months ago and her oldest grandchild, Yvonne, is 64.”

Marian believes that Nanny’s funeral on Friday will bring out crowds in huge numbers to celebrate the life of a woman who has seen so much change in Chirk. With five generations of family, she added that staff from the home at Chirk Court will also come to pay their respects.

Marian added: “I think that most of Chirk will be out on Friday to to pay their respects, and all of the staff at the care home too.

“She was well-known throughout the generations of Chirk and everyone called her Nanny Evans, from my children and their friends down.”

Nanny’s two remaining children, Marian and Keith survive her, and she was married to the late Gwyn Evans.

The funeral service will be at St Mary’s Church, Chirk on Friday at 1pm followed by interment in the churchyard.

It is requested that there be family flowers only please, but any donations, if desired, can be made to the Chirk Court Residents Comforts Fund.

All enquiries please to Edmund Rowlands and Son, funeral directors, Chirk, on 01691 772462.