RHOSNEIGR residents came together to honour their favourite “Aunty” when she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Mary Roberts, known to everyone in the village as “Aunty Mary,” was honoured with two parties to mark her centenary.

Video by Kerry Roberts

The former RAF nurse is a stalwart of the community and has long been involved with local activities from campaigning to save the village hall, to reading to school children, to organising the Wednesday tea club and being on committees.

She is also an active member St Maelog’s Church, sells poppies for the Royal British Legion and fundraises for charities such as the Royal Air Force Association.

During WWII Mary was involved with the RAF “flying command,” tending to the wounded aboard DC3 air ambulance planes. Until a few years ago she was still driving and regularly taking people to hospital appointments, the shops and the bingo.

Mary, who lives with her son Cyril, has lived in Rhosneigr for over 60 years, but is originally from Dalkeith, near Edinburgh.

The day before her 100th birthday, on Wednesday, June 13, a party was held with the children of Ysgol Rhosneigr at Rhosneigr Library.

The children sang “happy birthday”and she was presented with gifts and a handmade card. Her village hall and library friends also gave her a birdbath and garden planter.

The following day, on her actual birthday, Thursday, June 14, another party was held in Rhosneigr village hall where 100s of people gathered, including local dignitaries.

There were presentations and speeches including two from RAF Valley, RAFA, and the Royal British Legion who presented her with replacment service medals. She also received greetings from the Queen and politicians.

At her party, she requested no presents, but asked for donations to Help for Heroes which raised £150 on the day with more still coming in.

Mary said: “The secret to a long life is to keep going, to stay busy and look after everyone else. Keep interested in other people and what is going on around you.

“Rhosneigr is a lovely place to live. I have a lot of friends here, it’s like one big family. I have had a very happy life. I also have had two lovely parties and I’ve had 227 cards plus 30 on the internet!”

Chairwoman of the Rhosneigr Village Hall Felicity Wright said: “She is just amazing. She is so on the ball and supports everyone else, she never thinks about herself. She is everyone’s Aunty Mary, we all think the world of her.”

Her best friend Irene Hughes said: “She is a friend to everybody. She is very kind and she is very much loved by everyone in this village. Everyone knows our Aunty Mary.”