A much-loved Lanarkshire woman celebrated her 100th birthday at the weekend surrounded by family.
Bette Clarkson from Larkhall reached the milestone on Saturday, October 29, as loved ones gathered at Clinton House Care Home in Ashgill to mark the occasion.
The centenarian spent her birthday with an afternoon tea with her nearest and dearest with a specially made cake. And on the day she received a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
Born in Larkhall in 1922, Bette went on to work as a general nurse, qualifying in fevers before latterly becoming a midwife.
She worked in Ruchill and Stobhill hospitals. And during the bombing of Clydebank, Bette was involved in evacuating patients to a place of safety.
Her daughter Anne Hamilton, recalling Bette's dedicated career to helping other people, said: "Also mum suffering from Lumbago strapped a hot water bottle to her back as she bicycled from house to house. They don't make them like they used to."
In the fifties, Bette married her husband Stewart Clarkson before becoming a mother of two, her children being Stewart Clarkson and Anne Hamilton.
Bette and Stewart pair were married for 20 years before he sadly passed away following a battle with cancer. She then went on to become a midwife at Bellshill Maternity and then a nurse at Stonehouse Hospital.
Now with four grandchildren and great grandchildren, Bette spent her latter years in Maidens on the Ayrshire coast before moving to Clinton House Nursing Home where she is very content and very well cared for by all members of staff.
Anne added: "Thanks to Clinton House Nursing Home and staff for which we are most grateful.
"The family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and in making mum's day so very special."
And Gemma Hope, Activities Co-ordinator at Clinton House said: "I've only known and worked with Bette and the residents here at Clinton House for a matter of months. But in these months I've made strong relationships with all the residents, Bette being one of them.
"From her stories of her days being a nurse and midwife to the tales of life in Maidens, a place I also have family connections to. It's lovely to have things in common. We have little chats over pamper sessions where I do her lippy and nails or eat some goodies, Bette loves a wee goodie.
"She's a lady with such grace, full of kindness and wise words. All the nurses, carers and staff at Clinton House have such respect and are in awe of how amazing Bette is.
"We recently had some of the Dalserf Primary School pupils in for a Halloween parade and they couldn't resist meeting a nearly 100-year-old. They were so sweet, sang happy birthday too, which Bette said was tremendous. It made not just Bette's but the children's day too.
"Turning 100 is such a huge milestone and she has celebrated today in style, like she deserves and all the while looking so amazing, you'd never think she's 100.
"We all feel very privileged that we get to be part of her special day today. Its been lovely."
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