Kathleen Donathy, fondly known as ‘Nanny Kitty’ to her family, celebrated her birthday in lockdown on February 5 at Swarthmore Care Home, in Gerrards Cross.

She was born in Kensington in 1914, a few months before the start of World War One. Her father was a Hansom cab driver who died of pneumonia at a young age and not much is known about her mother, according to granddaughter Karen Gilbert.

Kathleen was the oldest of five siblings and worked in a large house in service for many years.

Kathleen with her birthday card from the Queen

Ms Gilbert said Kathleen met husband Robert ‘Don’ Donathy at the Peggy Bedford pub. They married in 1934 and had a son, Arthur Robert, as well as two daughters, Mary and Margaret.

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The family moved to Gerrards Cross where Kathleen took up a job at Woolworths, while Robert worked as a builder.

She has five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pictured: With her husband Robert

Kathleen celebrated her big day at the care home with residents and staff joining in for an afternoon tea.

Sadly, her family were not able to celebrate with her due to Covid restrictions, but she received a number of cards from them, as well as her fourth telegram from the Queen.