TRIBUTES have been paid to two of Burton and South Derbyshire's oldest residents following their deaths aged 101.
Edith Furniss, of Hillfield House, in Hillfield Lane, Stretton, and Doreen Bloor, of Woodville Nursing Home, in Burton Road, Woodville, died at Burton's Queen's Hospital on Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23, respectively.
Miss Furniss - the daughter of Cecil, manager of Burton Co-operative Furnishing Department, in Borough Road, for 45 years, and Edith, a housewife and chorus girl - was born in Swannington Street but lived for many years in Horninglow Street.
The sister of Don Furniss, who was Mayor of East Staffordshire from 1981-82, she took many jobs - insisting that 'hard work did not hurt anyone' - and never married.
A violinist who enjoyed half pints, sherry and fish and chips, Miss Furniss, who was known as 'Edie', moved to Hillfield House in 2006 after living at the now demolished Bend Oak House, in Hawfield Lane, Winshill, for more than 20 years.
Nephew Doug Furniss, 73, of Bladon View, Stretton, said: "She was a marvellous little lady. She loved the men around her to give her a kiss and was really nice. She loved life and was always cheerful. She just loved people and was gorgeous."
Hillfield's head of home Phyll Palmer said: "She was absolutely charming and stole our hearts. She was a big character and fiercely independent, despite being blind.
"It's very sad. She's left a very big gap in the home and will be very sadly missed."
With a father who was a breadman and a mother in service, Mrs Bloor worked first as a packer at Bretby Art Pottery and then as a cleaner for two doctors.
The widow of former Albion Clay Works stoker Arthur, she used to play the piano by ear and said her secret to a long and happy life was to 'keep cracking on'.
Niece Dorothy Wright, 86, of Plover Road, Woodville, said her aunt once lived in Moira Road, Woodville, and enjoyed knitting, crochet and whist.
She said: "Doreen was a happy-go-lucky person who made friends easily and was always willing to give a helping hand."
Nursing home manager Beryl Wheatcroft said: "She was always very bright and still loved to do her word searches and take part in activities.
"She was always pleasant and bubbly and I did not think she was 101. She was an amazing and unique lady. All of the residents miss her."
Miss Furniss's funeral will be held at 11.30am on Thursday in the Anglesey Chapel at Bretby Crematorium.
Mrs Bloor's service will take place at 1. 30pm on the same day at St Stephen's Church, in Moira Road, Woodville, followed by a committal in the Carnarvon Chapel at Bretby Crematorium.