TWO Newport women who both lived for more than a century died last week.

Dr Anna Gregory died, aged 101, on Friday at The Rothbury Nursing Home and Annie Collings, aged 102, died two days earlier at St Catherine's Nursing Home.

Dr Gregory's family came to Newport before the First World War when her father, Dr John Buckner, practised in the St Paul's area and the family were regulars at the church.

After her husband, Major Walter Gregory MC, died during the Second World War, Mrs Gregory trained as a doctor and worked abroad for seven years with the Church Medical Mission.

One of her most precious possessions was a sampler, stitched by the children in her care in Jerusalem, which hung over her bed until the day she died.

A brother, Dr Robert Buckner, had a practice in Stow Hill, Newport, and on her return to England, Dr Gregory also took up general practice in the city.

She is survived by her only son, Ian, now a consultant psychiatrist in Ohio, USA, to whom she was devoted, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She spent the last 10 years at The Rothbury Nursing Home. Matron Diana Rose said: "She never grumbled, she was a joy to nurse and I will miss her terribly."

The funeral takes place tomorrow.

Mrs Collings, one of nine children, also grew up in Newport, attending the then Municipal Secondary School and marrying Frank in St Matthew's Church in 1925.

One of the lasting memories of only daughter Babs Morgan is of her mother quizzing her father in preparation for his exams to become a railway engine driver.

Mrs Collings worked for about 25 years at the White Rose Laundry on Caerleon Road, near her Margaret Avenue home, and she was a stickler for cleanliness.

Mrs Morgan said: "She was one of those people who always had a duster in her hand - she had to be working and she would clean her friends' houses and worked in the post office and shop I ran. She lived with me for 17 years and she cleaned my house, too.

"She was a tough person and a bossy boots in her own way, but everyone who knew her loved her. She seemed to be everyone's favourite and they called her the 'grand old lady'."

Mrs Collings also leaves two grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Her funeral takes place today.