A FORMER auxiliary nurse who spent much of her life in Kendal has turned 100.

The family of Doris Cornell, who reached the milestone on Wednesday, had planned a huge celebration, however this had to be cancelled.

Determined to mark Doris’ big day they visited her at Mayfair Residential Care Home from afar to wish her a happy birthday.

“For Doris, family is all and so disappointingly, the celebratory party that was planned for her had to be postponed,” said Jane Taylor, Doris’ daughter.

Instead her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and close friends stood outside the home on Wednesday afternoon with banners and balloons and sang happy birthday to celebrate a remarkable lady’s 100th birthday.

Doris was born in Nelson, Lancashire, to parents who were badly affected by the economic collapse of the cotton mills in the county.

The family relocated to Kendal for work opportunities and to be closer to family.

During World War Two Doris served in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI).

“She was well respected and popular and earned promotion to Manageress,” said Jane.

She met her husband, Albert Cornell, at the end of the war and after a short courtship married at Kendal Parish Church in August 1946.

The newly-weds made Kendal their home living at first on Greengate, before moving to Queen Street. She worked as a cook at Helme Chase and as an auxiliary nurse at Westmorland General Hospital.

The family then moved to Kirkby Lonsdale to become licensees of the Fleece Inn. Doris has four children, Stephen, Jane, David and Simon, as well as five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Jane added: “In truth Mum is a little overawed by the fuss she is generating at reaching a hundred.”