HAPPY birthday to Hockley born woman Joyce Jay, who turned an incredible 105 years old yesterday.

Now living in Comox Valley in Canada, the lady's "proud" granddaughter got in touch with the Echo in a bid to reach out to many of Joyce's family, said to still be living in the Hockley area.

Sherri Jay, said: "Gram Jay, as we call her, still lives on her own and is so engaged with her family and community.

"She is perpetually learning, creating and loving.

"This extraordinary woman was born in Hockley, England, Essex in 1917 during the First World War, and shortly thereafter, lived through the Spanish flu pandemic.

"She also survived the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

"Gram Jay married her sweetheart with whom she had been best friends with since kindergarten.

"My late grandfather Ted Jay served in the Second World War as a pilot while my grandmother raised their son, plus trained with the resistance in preparation should the Germans land on British soil.

"She delivered babies at home during the bombings.

"She has created a beautiful felted wall hanging depicting her journey through the Second World War, which hangs in her home in Comox.

"After the war, she had three more children and then the family emigrated to Canada in the 1950s.

"They settled in the Greater Toronto area.

"My father was a pilot in the Canadian Air Force (CAF) and was posted to CFB Comox at one time.

"He loved it so much he decided he would retire here, which he did.

"My grandmother went to visit him and at age 84 and decided to move there as well. It made her feel young and the Ontario winters kept her isolated.

"Many family members said you can’t move across the country at age 84, but she did.

"Upon moving to Comox, she immediately became part of the community. She would go to old folks' homes to visit and teach art. She is a prolific artist - her preferences are for wood carving, painting and being a potter.

"She has been part of many art shows in the Comox Valley.

"She became a felter in her 90s and joined the Comox Glacial Grannies as a senior granny.

"The Grannies felt items together which they sell at local artisan fairs and donate all the money to charity.

"On my grandma’s 100th birthday, she wanted to skydive over the Comox Glacier, which we didn’t think was a great idea. She said, 'What is the worst that can happen? I die?'

"Instead, my cousin Nick procured a friend with a Harley and they went for a ride. In her youth, she had her own motorcycle. She loved that special ride on her birthday.

"During a COVID pandemic family zoom call, when many were complaining about how restrictive everything was, Grandma said how lucky she thought we all were. With her experience of two world wars and another pandemic under her belt, she said never before have I been able to communicate with my loved ones via phone, Zoom, Messenger, Facetime when in a situation such as this.

"She'd said 'I have a TV, radio, groceries and prepared meals delivered to my door if necessary. No doing without anything in regards to food. Almost anything can be delivered as well as books to my kindle.'

"That put things into perspective for this granddaughter."