Twin sisters celebrate turning 100 over video call
A grandmother from Derby and her twin sister celebrated turning 100 yesterday over a video call, as their birthday party had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Violet Johnson, who has lived in Derby for 30 years, was born alongside her twin sister May O'Neil, who lives in a care home in Essex, on May 3, 1920.
Violet's daughter Celia Twining, 70, said that the family was "very proud" of both May and Violet for reaching 100 years old.
Violet and May grew up in Essex before leaving school at 14 and working at an office equipment and stationery firm.
They then both trained as, and became, air raid wardens during World War Two.
In the 1950s and 1960s, May worked in a draper's shop and Violet ran a nursery school for five years.
They then both got married, Violet having four children with her husband Joseph Johnson, who died in 1992, and May a daughter with her husband Barney O'Neil, who died in 1972.
Violet has seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and the twins plan to celebrate their birthday with their family when they can. In the meantime, Celia says she's keeping herself busy by knitting and cooking.
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