A PENSIONER who survived two world wars to reach the grand age of 101 has died peacefully.

In spite of her age, Grace Newman remained mentally sharp and witty throughout her life and was "loved by everyone".

Mrs Newman moved into Lime Tree House, Upper Poppleton, three years ago but was independent, strong and described as "a fighter".

The great-grandmother grew up in Middlesex and worked for the publisher Ward Lock before marrying her husband, Bob, in 1936.

As a child she witnessed Doodlebug V1 rockets in her home town of Edmonton during the First World War and worked as a fire warden in the Second World War.

Her husband was a captain in the Royal Artillery and they visited Yorkshire regularly on holiday before deciding to move to Dunnington in 1975.

The mother-of-one moved to Holgate shortly after her husband died in 1985, and lived there until illness forced her to move into the care home in 2011.

Rosemary Newman, who married Mrs Newman's son Peter, said: "It was definitely a long and happy marriage.

"They were childhood sweethearts who met at school and he was a captain in the Second World War.

"She was a very graceful, open-minded and witty lady.

"She had a quick wit and was loved by everyone, and certainly by the staff at Lime Tree House.

"Her name was Grace but she was graceful in all senses and really was a lovely lady who will be missed."

Vicky Holt, a senior carer at Lime Tree House, said: "She was a lovely lady and really nice.

"She could be quite witty at times and was sharp when she needed to be.

"A lot of the girls here were very fond of her.

"She did really well for her age and liked to look smart and was able to choose what she wanted to wear.

"She kept being poorly and fighting back but this time it got the better of her, but she was a fighter and went peacefully."

Mrs Newman's funeral will take place at St Nicholas Church, Dunnington, on December 16 from noon.