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Mill girl’s ‘wonderful life’

by Rhiannon McDowall
8/10/2008

SHE lived through two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic and was a mother by the time Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

But on September 27, Nellie Henshall – thought to be Macclesfield’s oldest resident – died at the grand old age of 106 at East Cheshire Hospice after a stroke.

Affectionately known as "Auntie Nellie", her two daughters say the key to her longevity was hard work, a love of life, simple food – and "never believing she was old".

Born in Higher Poynton on December 15, 1901, the mother-of-two spent her later years living with daughter Margaret on Bittern Grove, Macclesfield.

Nellie’s youngest daughter Barbara, who lives on the same road and helped care for her mum, said: "She loved life. She never lost interest in people and she always welcomed people in and wanted them to stay for tea.

"She had a great sense of humour and she never grew old in her mind – in the last few months her memory went a bit, but she always said she never wanted to grow old, and she never thought she was."

Nellie, whose mother died aged 58, grew up in Monsall Drive, Macclesfield, and was head girl at St Paul’s School. Aged 13, she started work at Nichol’s Shirt Mill for eight shillings a week.

She married John Douglas Henshall – known as Jack – when she was 26, and they were together for 59 years until he died in 1987. Jack worked as an advertiser at the Macclesfield Times for most of his life, and was well known around the town.

During the war, when there was a shortage of journalists, Jack took over sport reporting duties, and Nellie accompaned him in the press box at Moss Rose.

The eldest of four, Nellie later worked part time at Clay’s Mill, but spent much of her time caring for her family and friends, as well as two evacuees during the Second World War.

She had a lifelong association with the Methodist Church in Macclesfield, worshipping at Park Street Chapel, Wesley’s Chapel and Macclesfield Methodist Church.

Nellie was thrilled to receive three cards from the Queen – for her 100th, 105th and 106th birthdays.

Barbara said: "We have to think about what a wonderful life she had, and we’re thankful for that."

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