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Joy and tears

Katie Storey
20/ 9/2008

A PENSIONER has overcome theft, heartbreak and vandalism to celebrate her 107th birthday.

Annie Horsman was targeted by thieves and vandals at the Church Stile home she shared with her sister, Mary.

The elderly sisters hit the headlines in February when they were robbed of their savings for the second time in two years.

A gang of thieves entered their home posing as water company officials and got away with £1,000, which was hidden in the living room furniture.

Mary tried to stop the three intruders, but suffered a bang to the head as she chased them through the house.

The theft came two years after they lost £3,000 in a similar incident.

To aggravate matters, the sisters, 106 and 100 respectively at the time, had also been terrified by louts pushing loud bangers through their front door.

Sadly, Mary passed away in May aged 101 and Annie was moved to Newhey Manor care home.

The last surviving sibling of a family of 10 and never marrying, Annie celebrated her birthday this week with staff and fellow residents.

Speaking at the birthday party, the sisters’ only niece, Margaret Wild, said Mary had never really recovered from the shock of the robbery in February and passed away in hospital in May.

Social services stepped in and gave Annie a place at Newhey Manor

Mrs Wild said: "Annie is a lady and was my dad’s favourite sister.

"She’s never used a telephone or opened a bank account. If she went missing nobody would know who she was.

"She had to be moved to Newhey Manor at a moment’s notice and it was the staff’s idea to organise the whole party.

"Annie is very determined at times. Although she was very upset when Mary passed away, she seems to have settled into her new home now.

"She is always pleased to see me and my grandson Alfie is the apple of her eye.

"I’m definitely proud that she’s reached 107 – it’s a very big achievement. We’d like to see her make the 110 mark, she’s certainly got the determination!"

Commenting at her party Annie said: "I can’t thank everyone enough."

A police spokeswoman said that there have not been any arrests regarding the thefts of the sisters’ life savings so far and investigations were still ongoing.