103-year-old puts longevity down to remaining a virgin

Monday, February 21st, 2011

A woman who celebrated her 103rd birthday stunned friends when she revealed her secret to a long life was cherishing – HER VIRGINITY.

103-year-old's longevity down to cherishing her viginity

Straight-laced Gladys Gough has remained a virgin her entire life because she ”couldn’t be bothered” with intimate relationships.

Incredibly, Gladys has also never smoked, drank a drop of alcohol or taken any prescription or off-the-shelf drugs in her long life.

Instead she dedicated her life to seeing the world in style – jetting off regularly on Concorde with her sister Edna – also a spinster.

She celebrated her 103rd birthday last Friday and marked the milestone by holding a small party with friends at the Selborne Court Care Home in Coventry.

Gladys, who was born and raised in Stoke, Coventry, also received a card from the Queen and celebrated with a cup of tea – in her favourite china cup.

But she stunned guests when she said the secret of her long life was remaining men-free.

She said: ”I never got married or had a boyfriend either. That probably had something to do with it. I just couldn’t be bothered with men.

”I always eat my dinner. I’ve always made sure that I’ve eaten well. Men have never been a part of my life and weren’t important to Edna either.

”We were always being approached by men but preferred to travel and talk to each other instead.”

Gladys was born on February 18, 1908, to her mother Alice and milkman dad Harry.

She was one of three children but her brother died when he was young but she became inseparable with her younger sister Edna who was born in 1910.

The pair never married and spent their time and money flying around the world together.

They travelled First Class in Concorde to Hong Kong and Switzerland and also visited America and Europe.

The pair both worked together a the General Electric Company (GEC) in Stoke, Coventry, and saved their money for exotic trips abroad.

Close friend Anne Tilley, 66, said: ”Gladys and Edna were inseparable. They weren’t just sisters, they were best friends too. They lived together and did everything together.

”Edna never married either and I think they liked it that way. They had each other, they didn’t need anybody else.

”I think she still misses Edna after all these years.”

Sadly Edna died of cancer in 1996 when she was 85.

Friend Jean Cross, 84, of Stoke, said: ”Gladys has known me all my life and used to take me for walks in the pram when I was a baby.

”She never married but has been to so many countries, I can’t think of many places she hasn’t been to.

”She’s so lovely and has a great sense of humour. She is very witty woman.”

Gladys lived on her own up to the age of 97 when she moved into Selborne Court care home where she has lived for the past six years.

Care manager Sharon Rowlson said: ”Although Gladys never had a boyfriend or husband, she certainly is a charmer.

”She’s a joy to have here and we’re pleased to see her celebrate her 103rd birthday.

”Gladys says she has never had any interest in boyfriends, husbands or sex and that is why she thinks she has lived this long.”

Gladys is believed to be Britain’s second oldest virgin.

* Last October Clara Meadmore, from Perranporth, Cornwall, revealed abstinence was the secret of her long life – when she turned 107.

SWNS Reporter

Twitter: @swns

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http://twitter.com/chimmpee duncan gibbons

Isn’t a centurion a Roman soldier!
Pingpaul

Centenarian is the term for a person over 100 years of age. A centurian is the leader of 100 Roman soldiers.

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103-year-old puts longevity down to remaining a virgin

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