Born on 7 May 1926, Theresa Newell will mark a remarkable milestone as she celebrates her 100th birthday. This centenary is a testament to a life filled with family, resilience, and community, writes Community Journalist, Peter Rush.
Theresa spent her early years in Dublin, where she met her future husband, John Newell while he was on holiday there. She married John in 1956 and moved in with his family in East Howell, a bit of a culture shock at the time. Theresa and John moved into Dormer Terrace in East Howell and lived with John’s family. John worked at the pit as a Blacksmith. Eventually they got a home of their own in East Howle. In later years they moved to Newton Aycliffe but eventually came back to Ferryhill where Theresa still lives.
Together, Theresa and John welcomed five children, building a loving and supportive family, Paul, Bernedette, David, Angela and Kevin, unfortunately Theresa lost her husband in 2003 and her sons Paul in 2006 and David in 2015. She has devoted most of her years to Ferryhill, where she has become a cherished member of the local community.
Theresa and John loved their coach holidays and over the years and Theresa was a regular visitor to Dublin to see her Mam and brothers and sister.
Working in the garment industry in her youth in Dublin, Theresa then moved to Ferryhill and worked as an outworker at home for a clothing manufacturer, she also worked in Coombers in Spennymoor for many years and then for the rest of her working live she worked in Carrick’s bakery in Ferryhill village, today she is still recognised from working there. Over the years she visited Lewellen’s in Ferryhill for a coffee and a natter with her late sister Kathleen and still gets up to the village for a shopping trip or two today.
There are 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren in Theresa’s family, sadly she lost her eldest grandchild Darren in 1996 at only 13 years old.
In 2012 Theresa met her companion John on one of her many coach trips away. John is from Hartlepool and she has enjoyed many cruises and trips away over the last few years with him. Even now Theresa likes to get out for trips as much as she can.
Theresa has always loved singing at home and family gatherings and over the years was a regular visitor on a Saturday night to The Square and Compass in Wast Cornforth. In recent years she has had weekends away in Redcar, visited The Swan in Durham many memorable times and is having her 100th birthday party at Ferryhill Working Men’s Club in May organised by her family and friends.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Theresa received 100 cards for her 100th Birthday?
A very Happy Birthday Theresa, what a milestone!
Peter Rush
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
