A century for Marjorie

Among the birthday cards was the all-important message of congratulations from the Queen and there were several congratulatory phone calls too including one from Mrs Streek’s family in South Africa.

Mrs Streek has lived in Sussex all her life. She was born and educated in Haywards Heath and, at 15, earned a distinction in secretarial and business studies at Brighton College before going to work as a secretary at Borde Hill House in Haywards Heath.

She came to live in Hillside, Horsham forty years ago and remained very active until a fractured hip sustained in a fall last year severely restricted her mobility.

As a supporter of the Conservative Association she was still acting as a teller on polling days at Arunside School well into her late eighties.

And in her nineties she continued to hold an annual coffee morning to raise funds for Dr Topham’s Cancer Charity at Guildford Hospital at which her own home-made cakes, jams and chutneys were eagerly sought after.

Although not having children of her own, Mrs Streek used to spend many hours knitting jumpers for Rumanian orphans and was also a talented seamstress and water colour painter.

Her garden was a particular source of pleasure and she was delighted to celebrate her century surrounded by many beautiful flowers as well as by friends and family.