IT was back in February that Margaret Lofts Howe started issuing invites for her 100th birthday party and on Tuesday, scores turned up at her home in Penistone to wish the tireless fundraiser well on the milestone occasion.
As well as family and friends, guests included Mayor of Barnsley Coun Steve Green and ward councillor Paul Hand-Davis - who was at Margaret’s 90th birthday bash and promised to be back for the big one.
Born in Sheffield, Margaret has been a long-time fundraiser for Weston Park cancer hospital in Sheffield. She started out organising coffee mornings to raise money for the pain clinic and then began going to the day unit as a volunteer.
She has continued her support since moving to Penistone 17 years ago.
A keen knitter, she still makes Easter chicks which she sells to help the premature baby unit at Barnsley Hospital and has also knitted dozens of baby coats for the facility.
All this in addition to helping the Salvation Army and filling shoeboxes for the needy.
“She has always been active for other people,” said her daughter, Janice Rhodes, 76. “Mum has worked all her life raising money,” she said.
A widow, Margaret married George William Howe in 1939. They met when he delivered goods to a wholesaler’s where Margaret was working in the office.
“She has worked all her life,” said Janice, who lives in Crane Moor with her husband, Geoffrey.
“Mum loves company and started inviting people to the party well in advance. I think she asked around 100 people.
“It was everything she could have wished for. Pretty much everyone she invited turned up some coming quite a distance.
“The mayor was wonderful with her and stayed quite a long time, chatting to people.
“It was a real day to remember.”
Margaret told the Chronicle: “I get out quite a lot and enjoy a game of bingo, so I am not vegetating. I have always enjoyed going out.”
Margaret, who has a granddaughter and a great-grand-daughter, enjoys very good health for her years, and still enjoys going out. She is looking forward to going to a dinner-dance next week.
