Union leader Ivy dies at 107

One of the oldest women in the West Midlands has died aged 107. Great-great grandmother Ivy Talbot, of Wolverhampton, claimed to be the city's first lady driver and outlived almost her entire family.

The centenarian was a union leader, fish and chip shop worker and insurance collector during a varied career in the city. A Wulfrunian born and bred, she grew up in Taunton Avenue, Fordhouses, and worked at a chip shop in Bushbury Lane as well as at the Ever Ready factory in Four Ashes as a union boss.

In recent years she told how she was the first female in the city to buy and own a car – her beloved Morris Minor.

Her one surviving granddaughter, 51-year old, Sue O'Shea, said today: "She was just a lovely person and had the most amazing life.

"Living to 107 is incredible. I am her only grandchild and she will be missed."

Mrs Talbot's only child Dennis died, aged 81, in 2002 and husband Tom died in 1969.

She died on Tuesday at Tudor House residential home in West Park where she had lived for the past 11 years.

Chris Hurd, senior care assistant at the care home, said: "It feels dreadful to say goodbye. She lived to such a fine age and we are all proud of her.

"The place won't be the same. She was the most amazing person and we loved her a lot. She was always friendly to all the staff and over the years was fantastic to look after."

Ivy's second grandchild Pat died three years ago at the age of 54.

As well as Mrs O'Shea, who lives in Nuneaton, she is survived by two great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, the youngest of whom is three-month old Alfie.