Birthday girl Irene’s music man message

Not only did Mrs Wood receive the customary 100th birthday card from the Queen, she was also congratulated by Welsh singer Aled Jones, who she has followed from his early days as a boy soprano.

Mrs Wood celebrated her birthday last Friday, but she had visitors from her large extended family calling inthroughout the week.

Mrs Wood was born in Providence Street, Earlsheaton, in 1914 to a family with roots in Dewsbury going back generations.

A talented artist, she worked at Speights Lampshades in Batley Carr, decorating the lampshades by hand. The bespoke lampshades enjoyed international fame and recognition.

Mrs Wood (née Ramsden) married Leslie Wood in 1934 at the Congregational Church in Earlsheaton. The couple met on a seaside holiday to Bridlington in the days when most of the town would go to the same resort at the same time of year.

They had three children together.

The couple moved to Morecambe in 1964 for Mr Wood’s job, but often holidayed in Dewsbury.

Mr and Mrs Wood moved back to the town in 1976 after Mr Wood retired.

Her family has grown over the years and she is now blessed with seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She put her long, healthy life down to not smoking or drinking and living as a good Christian.