ONE of Jane O'Neill's earliest memories is of reading newspaper billboards proclaiming the sinking of the Titanic.
Mrs O'Neill, of Brambles Farm, Marske, celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday with her three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her family came to South Shields from Ireland, before moving to Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.
She worked at the Vaux Brewery plant in Middlesbrough before marrying Belfast-born James, who died in 1965.
Mrs O'Neill had her daughter Marie, now 71, and later went to work at Acklam Steel Works until her sons Patrick, now 59, and Terry, 56, were born.
The family fell in love with Brambles Farm, but were dismayed to learn they needed a £25 deposit to buy it. As Irish luck would have it, Patrick won £25 on a horse and the family moved in.
Mrs O'Neill still lives in the house with her daughter.
Miss O'Neill said: "She doesn't believe in alcohol or smoking, but doesn't mind other folk enjoying themselves. She believes plenty of good food and a quiet life is the key to a long life."
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