Ex-village pub landlady Daisy dies at 106

One of Britain's oldest people – former Walsall pub landlady Daisy Holland – has died at the age of 106.

The former landlady of 40 years at The Queens Hotel in Pelsall was described as a "strong personality" and a "well-respected member of the community" by her family today.

The fiercely independent widow lived in Hall Lane, Walsall Wood, until she moved to Glenyon Rest Home in Brownhills shortly before turning 101. Residents of Glenyon moved to the new Angel Court next to Walsall Manor Hospital in December, where Daisy passed away last week.

Born in Walsall Wood, Daisy moved to Chesterfield as a youngster with her father, former Walsall goalkeeper William Thorpe, and the rest of the family.

But at the age of 21 she moved back to Walsall where she met husband Charlie and the two ran The Barley Mow in Blakenall for 12 years before moving on to take over The Queens Hotel.

Charlie died in 1968 but Daisy remained for around 40 years at the pub. The licensed trade was in the family's blood as Daisy's mother ran The Black Cock in Green Lane, Walsall Wood, before her grandson and Daisy's son Ray took over.

After retiring from The Queens Hotel Daisy even worked at The Black Cock as well as in her son Ray's general store in the same street.

Edith Blower, aged 80, of Croxdene Avenue, Dudleyfields, in Bloxwich, was fostered by Daisy, whom she called "Mom".

Married

Mrs Blower said: "I was 14 years old when I went to live with Daisy and I stayed with her until I was 51 when I got married to my husband John in 1980.

"We got on like a house on fire and were really close.

"I will miss her terribly. I used to go and visit her twice a week up until she died.

"She looked after me and another girl called Lucy Blower as well for many years. It was just the way things were in those days when people looked after other people's children.

"She raised us like one of her own and I was like a sister to her own son Ray." She said Daisy and Charlie took in lodgers from all over the country who had come to work in Walsall and were very well known.

Grandson Kevan Holland, aged 52, of Tamworth, said: "She had a very strong notion of what was right and wrong and was very dignified in that. They were quite strict in the way they ran their pubs.

"She had a very strong personality and if you were not careful she could use that.

"In those days there were two institutions that were important – the church and the pub – and landlords were well-respected members of the community.

"If someone needed somewhere to stay they would always find room at The Queens. If there was someone feeling very down or having a tough time she would befriend them and look after them.

"She was quite well until about six or seven months ago when she deteriorated."

A funeral service will take place at St John's Church in Walsall Wood on Tuesday followed by a cremation at Perry Barr where Daisy's name will be added to a plaque bearing Charlie's name.