Final farewell to 109-year-old Ethel – a life of Biblical longevity

Final farewell to 109-year-old Ethel - a life of Biblical longevity

3:19pm Friday 24th January 2014 in News By Mark Tallentire, Reporter (Durham)

Ethel Stobbs, pictured in 2010

FAMILY and friends have paid their last respects to one of the regions longest survivors, following her death aged 109.

Ethel May Stobbs was born near Marske, in Cleveland, on May 2, 1904, and one of her childhood memories was of a German Zeppelin warship flying over Hartlepool during the First World War.

She died peacefully in hospital on Friday, January 10, and her funeral was held today (Friday, January 24) at St Oswalds Church, in Durham City, where she had been an active member since the 1940s.

Reverend Peter Kashouris said Mrs Stobbs longevity was reminiscent of Biblical characters almost beyond the span of an ordinary human life.

Although Ethel gave us a feel that her own flesh and blood would go on forever, her faith was resolutely placed in Christ our eternal saviour, he told mourners.

Mrs Stobbs moved to Durham aged 12 and lived in the same house on Whinney Hill for more than 70 years.

A keen poet, she lived independently, tackled The Northern Echos crosswords every day, made marmalade, baked cakes and played along with TV show Countdown well beyond her centenary.

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Final farewell to 109-year-old Ethel - a life of Biblical longevity