A “TENACIOUS” Epping woman who overcame a life of hardship raising her six siblings in London's East End before settling happily in Essex has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Emma Wohlman, of Ashlar House Care Home in St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, marked the momentous milestone yesterday with a lavish party surrounded by family and friends.

Mrs Wohlman, who grew up raising her brothers and sisters after the death of her mother when she was just 14, was bombed out of her home in Bethnal Green three times during World War Two, but determinedly pulled through to live a long and happy life.

Her daughter Joan Edwards, 63, of Theydon Bois, said: “She's always been very hard-working throughout her life and has a lot of tenacity, which I think is part of the reason why she's still here at 100.

“She's been through a lot so has always adapted to change very easily. She's always got on with things and never grumbled.”

Mrs Wohlman, whose father fought in the Boer War, spent most of her life raising her family, but also worked as a French Polisher.

She moved into Ashlar House Care Home only three years ago, and lived in Waltham Abbey before that.

Mrs Edwards added: “She had a very nice time at the party and she was very pleased with her card from the queen.”

Susan Lawlor, who runs daycare at Ashlar House, said: “Her birthday party was wonderful. We had a pianist and all the residents joined in some singing and dancing with all the old songs.

“She loved it. I think she really enjoyed it.”

Mrs Wohlman's birthday also came at great joy to her family, which includes her two daughters and a son, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Her husband John died twenty years ago.