Family and friends gathered in Stalybridge to celebrate the 100th birthday of Dorothy Forsythe.

Dorothy, who is 100 on Thursday (5 May), enjoyed a party at the home of her grandson Adam Barnes on Darnton Road last Saturday.

Dorothy was born in Pendleton and contracted polio at the age of 12-18 months. She was six years old before her first operation and over time has had to endure many more operations in a bid to straighten her paralysed leg and foot. 

She married Ronald in 1948 and they went on to have three children - Gillian, Jennifer and Clive. 

The family moved from Salford to Hyde in 1953 with around another 40 families from the Salford overspill. Sadly, Dorothy was widowed at the age of 54.

Dorothy’s daughter Jen Barnes said: “Mum has had to cope and she has done so brilliantly, always supportive and being there for each and every one of us - she is a remarkable lady with a great sense of humour.

“Our mum never let her disability deter her, if she couldn’t manage a certain task she would try, try and try again until she succeeded, her mantra to us was ‘Nothing is impossible and there’s no such thing as can’t.’”

Dorothy has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She is expecting a congratulatory message from the Queen, together with a birthday card, celebrating her 100th on her special day.

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