A WOMAN who spent her final years of her life at the Gables care home in Eastburn has died at the age of 106.

Maud Sawyer, the oldest resident of the home, previously lived in a flat in Strawbridge Street, Keighley.

The fiercely determined lady had lived independently until just four years ago, when a fall forced her to move into care.

Maud and her husband, Lawrence, who married in 1937, bred rabbits for many years. They began during the Second World War, using them as food, but afterwards became heavily involved in entering the animals at agricultural shows.

Maud was a seamstress before having children, and for many years afterwards devoted her working time to taking in washing and lodgers.

Maud lived most of her life in Leeds and Bradford, but her grandchildren – Hazel Bottomley, David Burbage-Atter and Louise Makin – all live in the Worth Valley.

For several decades, the couple lived mostly in the Meanwood and Seacroft areas. Maud moved to Bradford with her daughter’s family in 1986.

Hazel described her grandmother as a “stubborn lady”, who had been hugely generous with her time to both her grandchildren and her six great-grandchildren.

Maud was a keen baker and also liked bingo, holidaying in Bridlington and watching TV soaps.