Tributes paid to former Aycliffe Angel and Darlington's 'oldest' woman

Well-known Renee Glover, who was also understood to be Darlington’s oldest woman, passed away after a life full of rich history on April 1.

For some who might recognise her, Renee had been in the spotlight in the last few years as her post-100th birthdays were documented by The Northern Echo.

As her last two birthdays occurred during the Covid pandemic, her family organised for cards to be sent to her, celebrating the achievement of her long and full life.

Renee in her youth, date unknown. Picture: SARAH RENWICK

Speaking to The Echo, her family last night paid tribute as they revealed Renee's gloriously busy life.

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Renee was born in Frosterley, County Durham, in 1914, two months before the start of the First World War.

She had one daughter; Judith Hope, two granddaughters, Sarah Renwick and Alison Skilbeck, five great grandchildren, and ten great-great grandchildren.

Her parents were Frank and Ethel Carruthers. Frank was a policeman. Renee also had one elder sister, Nancy.

Renee caught Scarlet Fever when she was around ten. It was a serious illness and she was taken to hospital by ambulance, although in the 1920s the ambulance was a horse-drawn carriage with a red cross painted on the side. She remained in an isolation ward for some time away from her family.

She met her husband Edwin Glover, who she married aged 19. They honeymooned in London with days out in such places as Teddington Lock.

Renee and Eddie on their wedding day in 1933/34, when Renee was 19. Picture: SARAH RENWICK

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Renee and Eddie moved to Newton Aycliffe and when the Second World War broke out and she took up a position in the Royal Ordinance Factory in Newton Aycliffe.

Here she worked night shifts as an inspector accepting or rejecting the bombs. According to Renee’s granddaughter, Sarah, Renee never really talked about her time there other than to say that being stained with yellow from the bombs was a common occurrence and that they were known as “Churchill’s Fiery Army”.

They moved to Darlington from Newton Aycliffe but Renee was widowed when she was in her mid 50s. She then spent most of her time looking after her elderly father and she moved with him to her daughter’s house in Middleton St. George in the early 1970’s.

Renee remained living with Judith until she moved into Wilton House Care Home in Darlington aged 101.

Renee on her 106th birthday, at Wilton House Care Home in Darlington. Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO

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Renee’s granddaughter, Sarah, told The Northern Echo: “She was a very significant part of my childhood and even today some old school friends of mine marvel at her ease of dealing with a rabble of girls piling back in to our kitchen after a ‘happy’ night out when she would either just leave us be or quietly make a pot of tea and say “drink that girls you’ll be better for it!”

“Her love of a cup of tea was legendary, she would never, ever refuse one. “13 cups of tea a day” was her reply to one of the Mayor of Darlington’s questions about getting to live into her 100s.

“She seemed indestructible didn’t take any medication and had a zest for life that most found inspiring. I/We feel honoured to have had her in our lives for so long and it will take some time to adjust to her departure.”

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