UK’s second oldest woman dies

Violet Davies-Evans - who was the third oldest person in the country - lived through 27 prime ministers, five monarchs and survived both world wars.

She was just one day younger than the two oldest people in the UK - who share the birth date of March 29, 1908.

Violet, of Vi as she was known to her family, had lived independently up until the age of 106 before moving into Ashwood Nursing Home, in Spalding, Lincs., in 2014.

Violet Davies-Evans - who was the third oldest person in the country - lived through 27 prime ministers, five monarchs and survived both world wars. | Other 3rd Party

She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the care home on Tuesday.

Violet was born in Sutterton, Lincs., only seven years after the death of Queen Victoria and the year the boy scout movement was founded and a loaf of bread cost just 1p.

She credited her longevity with keeping her brain active by playing Scrabble and doing daily cryptic crosswords in the newspaper.

And throughout her life, she would never wash her face, preferring cleansing creams which kept her skin looking younger.

Violet also rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous after becoming a beauty specialist for Elizabeth Arden - founder of the renowned cosmetics company.

Nephew Mike Lawton, 74, said her aunt was "definitely a real character" and at times a cross between Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances and actress Joan Sanderson.

He said: "My wife was a little overawed at first when we would go there for tea because Vi would have china tea cups and used tongs to get the cubes of sugar.

"She was once taken shopping to Peterborough by a friend and they ended up with quite a few bags between them. 'Get a porter,' she said.

"So in some respects Vi was almost from a different era. But she was a smiling and joyful lady who liked socialising and eating out and loved to sing.

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