A GREAT-great-grandmother is set to celebrate her 100th birthday, and her granddaughter is urging their village to help her make it extra special.

Ivy Spencer was born in 1921 in Poplar, London, and had three brothers and a sister.

She married her husband Edward in 1945 and moved to Romford, where Melanie O’Leary spent most of her childhood with her nan.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: A young Ivy SpencerA young Ivy Spencer

After Edward died in 1963, Ivy was widowed and never remarried or even met anyone else.

The couple had one child, Melanie’s father Graham, who sadly died the day before Ivy’s 98th birthday.

Melanie said: “Although she only had one son we gained a huge family, lots of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and now great-great-grandchildren.”

Ivy is loved dearly by Melanie’s four children and eight grandchildren.

She added: “She really is an amazing lady who has been totally selfless her whole life, she has looked after many siblings and family members, never asking for anything.”

Ivy moved to Hatfield Peverel ten years ago so Melanie could be there for her, as most of her grandmother’s time was spent alone.

“Since I moved her we have been inseparable and I believe she deserves every minute of my time.”

Though her nan is frail now and struggles to get her words out some days, Melanie says they have no problems understanding each other.

“I never thought she was going to make Christmas last year as she fell quite ill, she had a traumatic time in hospital which left her traumatised and very frail.

“But with extreme amounts of love and complete dedication she is doing amazing, she really is my world.”

Which is why Melanie has organised something special for Ivy’s 100th birthday on Tuesday, August 24.

She has arranged a garden afternoon tea for her grandmother, followed by a horse and carriage trip from 5pm around the village of Hatfield Peverel.

“The route I hope to be taking will commence down Toulmin Road, via New Road, where I believe we will go along the main Maldon Road back towards The Street, Hatfield Peverel, where we will pass the Blue Strawberry Bistrot and turn back into Church Road where we will circle round back to nan’s house.”

Melanie is encouraging the village community to stand outside their houses when the horse and carriage is due to pass them and clap for Ivy, to make her feel just as special as she is to her grandchild.

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