The oldest Scot in the world dies aged 112

THE OLDEST Scot in the world has died peacefully in Australia at the age of 112.Jane Gray - known affectionately as Jeannie - was born in Newtyle, Angus, the daughter of the village souter, on December 1, 1901.

Tributes were paid yesterday to Scotlands oldest person who has died at the age of 112. Picture: Hemedia

Jeannie, who was believed to be the 35th oldest person in the world at the time of her death - emigrated to Australia in 1927 and just two days later tied the knot with husband John ‘Jock’ Gray, from Aberdeenshire.

Recently, Jeannie had been living in Summit Care Home in Smithfield, New South Wales and was kept company by her daughter Heather McKenzie who lived two streets away.

But, in the early hours of Saturday morning, Jeannie passed away from natural causes and a number of close family members by her side.

Heather, 80, said her mother was always happy and was still asking after people she grew up with in Newtyle.

She said: “Mum just went into a sleep that she never woke up from and she slipped away peacefully,

“It’s heartbreaking, I can’t believe she’s gone, I just expect her to still be there.

“She was a great fighter and she was determined to stick around as long as she could - it was a privilege to have her so long.

“She was a very happy woman -- I think her heart was in Scotland and I think she believed she was in Newtyle for the last couple of months.

“She kept asking how everyone was in Newtyle, which was quite sad, as most of them have died now.

“But I think it made her happy that she thought she was back home.

“Having said that, she never regretted moving here and she loved her life in Australia, especially the weather.”

One of a family of six, super-centenarian (someone who has lived past their 110th birthday) Jeannie was born in Newtyle to a shoemaker.

She stayed in the village after she left school, working as a nanny before meeting Jock, of Durris, Aberdeenshire, on a blind date in 1922.

Five years later the couple moved to Australia and tied the knot just 48 hours after disembarking downunder.

The couple had two children together - Sandy, 85, and Heather.

Jock died in 1987.

Jeannie is survived by two children, nine grandchildren, 14 great grand-children and two great-great-grandchildren.