Fifer Betty celebrates her 106th birthday

Elizabeth Craig, who was born on March 12, 1914, was joined by Colonel Jim Kinloch and Councillor Judy Hamilton who presented her with flowers on behalf of Fife Council to mark the momentous occasion.

Born and raised in St Andrews, Elizabeth – known as Betty – trained to be nurse in her home town before she was transferred to the fever hospital in Kirkcaldy.

After moving to the Lang Toun, Betty met her late husband Bert.

They were married at the Station Hotel in St Andrews in 1939 and after honeymooning in Montrose they set up home in Kirkcaldy – firstly in Harcourt Road then St Kilda Crescent, where Betty lived for 62 years until the age of 102 when she move to the Raith Manor Care Home.

The couple had two daughters, Mary and Margaret, and Margaret said that her mum always kept busy after retiring from her work at Victoria Hospital.

“She used to go to the Salvation Army a lot,” she said. “She enjoyed playing dominoes and she was a keen member of St John’s Church, which is now Bennochy Church.

“And she’s a very family orientated person.”

Said family includes six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and five

great-great grandchildren, many of whom were due to visit Betty for her party but sadly had to stay away due to the coronavirus crisis.

“We should have had a family get-together but it had to get cancelled, but on her actual birthday a lot of family did manage to visit.

“She’s doing very well, her mind is still OK and she still likes a game of dominoes in the afternoon.

“Unfortunately we’re not getting in to see her at the moment which is going to be very difficult for her, but she is very well looked after in there.”