A WYLAM woman who devoted her working life to the village’s doctors’ surgery celebrated her 100th birthday last weekend.

Dora Shipley-Leathard was surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 15, as she celebrated her centenary with a small party at Wentworth Grange residential home, where she now lives.

Born on October 15, 1917, in Wylam, Dora spent the first part of her life living in Tyne View, before moving to her marital home in West View and latterly to Hedley Road.

When she was struggling to cope on her own earlier this year, and told she needed 24-hour care, she moved to Wentworth Grange Residential Home in Riding Mill.

After leaving school aged 14, Dora went to work at the Riversdale Surgery in the village under Dr Swindale.

She married Thomas Leathard, from Prudhoe, in 1942 at St Oswin’s Church, Wylam, before they began their family and had two daughters, Audrey and Dianne.

After spending a few years bringing up her family, Dora was asked to return to the surgery where she worked as a dispenser until she retired at the age of 68.

“Everyone knows me as Dora from the surgery,” she said.

Dedicated to her work, she had little time for anything other than family, although she enjoyed needlework and tapestry in her spare time.

Thomas passed away in 1965, and although she now suffers from dementia, Dora still enjoys being surrounded by her growing family,.

In addition to her two daughters, she now has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“She absolutely loves it when the children come to see her,” said Audrey.

“We used to take her all over; she has very much enjoyed her life.”