The wife of one of Keighley's greats celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday .
Mary Watson was born in 1902 at Hermit Hole and was the eldest of five children.
She went to school at Wesley Place, and at the age of 12 began working half days at the Co-op in Keighley, firstly in the shop and then in the office.
In 1932 she married Billy Watson. Mr Watson was a renowned rugby league player, and throughout the 1930s he played for Keighley before going on to play for Leeds, Huddersfield and Yorkshire and winning many medals.
Mrs Watson still recalls ironing the heavy cotton shirts and stitching on the numbers as one of the invaluable 'back room girls' at the club.
The couple had two sons and twin girls and remained in Keighley - living in Lawkholme Lane and at Ingrow.
Mrs Watson said: "I have lived in Keighley all my life and have seen a lot of changes. It's very different now.
"I'm looking forward to my party and seeing everyone."
Widowed in 1977, Mrs Watson continued to live on her own until October last year but now lives at Woodville residential home.
Her children are all based relatively locally and she has ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
She was due to be visited by her family and the Lord Mayor yesterday for a birthday celebration.
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