Minnie’s maxi life: She reaches 107! (From Echo)

Minnie’s maxi life: She reaches 107!

10:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Castle Point By Emma Palmer

SHE survived an impoverished childhood and almost died during the Second World War, but Minnie Hofert is 107 and still going strong!

Minnie celebrated her 107th birthday with a party at her home Godden Lodge Care Home in Thundersley.

Widow Minnie, who has four children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, moved to the care home in Hart Road a year ago after spending most of her life living in Bethnal Green, East London.

Born in 1905, she lived through two world wars and was forced to leave school at 14 to work in a factory. In 1944, Minnie narrowly escaped when her house was bombed while she was at home. She made it into her family’s Anderson shelter just in time and escaped with just cuts and bruises.

Minnie, who worked until the age of 66, did her own shopping until the age of 100, was joined by friends, family and the mayor of Castle Point, Jackie Govier, at the party.

Her grandson-in-law Arthur Baxter, of Thundersley, said: “She enjoyed the party and had a sherry or two.

“Minnie has led a very interesting life.”

Minnie had 12 brother and sisters and recalls having to share an old tin bath with her many siblings when she was a girl.

She remembered: “Friday night was bath night.

“We all used the same water which was black by the time we were finished!”

Minnie is thought to be one of the oldest people in Essex, but she’s still got a fair way to go if she wants to be a record breaker.

The oldest person in the UK was Charlotte Hughes, who died in 1993 aged 115.

Violent Wood from Whitstable in Kent is the oldest living person in country at 112.

Fellow Essex resident George Assinder from Braintree, will also turn 107 this week.