FAMILY and friends gathered at Brownscombe House to celebrate Mary Brett’s 100th birthday, last Wednesday.

Miss Brett was a pillar of village life in Wonersh, where she lived for 99 years before moving 12 miles to Haslemere, last January.

She had spent her life looking after other people but was in need of nursing care, herself.

Her father William Brett worked as a shoemaker in Wonersh – his family had been shoemakers in the village for nearly 200 years.

William was famous for being commissioned by a nearby Roman Catholic seminary to make a pair of ceremonial shoes for the Pope.

The ornate red leather shoes were made to a special design and had two straps. The seams were inlaid with gold braid, the heel was covered in gold and a gold cross was inlaid in the toe.

As a girl, Mis Brett helped with the village milk round and in the village shop. When the Canadian soldiers were billeted nearby during the Second World War, she worked in the canteen.

She loved children but never had any of her own. In 1954, she worked in The Homestead, a children’s home in Guildford, and at Gosden House School in Bramley, for children with special needs.

A pillar of Wonersh parish church, St John The Baptist, and one of its most caring parishioners, Miss Brett worked as a housekeeper for many years for Dr Drasin, in Elstead.

After leaving full-time employment there, she continued to cycle 22 miles there and back every Saturday to do his washing.

Brownscombe House activities co-ordinator Caroline Cartwright said: “We had a lovely birthday party for Mary with more than 16 friends and family attending (pictured above).

“Our chef Pauline Stewart did a wonderful buffet spread and made another birthday cake so that our other residents could celebrate.”