SHE was born in the last century, lived through two world wars and the coronation of six monarchs, but as preparations are made for the coming of the new Millennium 106-year-old Eva Hudson has died peacefully at a rest home near Malton.

Mrs Hudson, a great grandmother, was born and brought up in Cropton, near Pickering, and most recently lived at the Old Vicarage Home, Amotherby, near Malton where staff today described her as a lovely old lady who knew what she wanted from life.

She was featured by the Evening Press when she and schoolfriend Kate Headley, of the Alba Rose Nursing Home in Westgate, Pickering, met up after many years and celebrated their 105th birthdays together, having been born less than a month apart.

The lifelong friends, who survived to the same commendable age, also died within months of each other as Kate passed away in late March. Eva and Kate met at primary school in Cropton when they got into trouble for mischievous antics at the desk they shared and spent many a happy hour giggling in the playground.

When asked for the secret of long life by the Evening Press both women identified "hard work" as the key.

Perhaps it was the work ethic they developed at school, combined with something beneficial in the atmosphere, which allowed them to live on long after receiving their telegrams from the Queen.

Eva was born and brought up in Cropton where her mother, Polly Dring, had a sweet and cigarette shop.

She married Len Hudson when he returned from the army in the First World War and they lived in the village for 11 years before moving to Cawthorne.

The funeral service and interment takes place at All Saints' Church, Nunnington, on June 2, at 2.30pm.

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