A FAMILY in Andover are celebrating a mother and grandmother's 100th birthday with a massive party.

Phyllis Mabel Mcintosh nee Taylor, was born on April 20, 1923, in Manitoba, Canada, before moving back to England with her family in 1924. She left school aged 13 and went to work at Vickers Armstrong delivering post to the various departments, working her way upwards to become a telephonist. 

Phyllis met her husband, William Douglas Telfer McIntosh, in 1945 in a hospital in Manchester on his return from being a Prisoner of War in the Second World War, for four years in both Italy and Germany. They married that year and moved to Abbots Ann, where her husband's family rented rooms in the Manor House.

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Phyllis had various jobs throughout her life. She worked in the village shop attached to the White Hart in Penton Grafton until she and Doug moved to the Conservative Club in Andover to become steward and stewardess. After that Phyliss became a telephonist in Andover working for the GPO, which later became British Telecom.

Her husband, Doug, worked for Taskers of Andover. He sadly died in 2006. 

Phyllis still lives in her own flat, managing day-to-day life with carers. When asked how it felt to be a 100, she said: "It is amazing to have reached this age." 

She is the first person in her family to have reached 100.

Phyllis keeps herself busy, attending a Wednesday group at St Michael's Hall to play cards, and quizzes and enjoy a cup of tea and cake. She attends an afternoon tea party once a month, where families host elderly people who do not have family nearby.

She also goes for lunch to The Willows once a month with a few friends.

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Phyllis's family arranged a party to celebrate the big day at Penton Mewsey Village Hall on April 20, which is to be attended by 85 family and friends from all over the world, including America, Canada, Germany and Gibraltar. 

Phyllis's daughter, Patricia, said: "Phyllis has an amazing mind. If any of the family want to know what has happened in the past they just ask her and she will tell them exactly what they want to know. Considering she left school at 13 years of age, I think this is remarkable."

"She is an amazing woman, to reach 100 is absolutely fantastic and we're so happy we can bring family and friends together to celebrate such a momentous occasion."