Jessie Bradshaw taking part in a Scottish Ballet Time to Dance class at age 100.
All Saints’ oldest communicant, Mrs Jessie Bradshaw, has died aged 101.
She passed away at her home in Clydebank on Monday February 1, with her devoted daughter, Janet, who cared tirelessly for her, and her son Ian by her side.
Jessie was a shining lifelong Christian, loving and serving at St Columba’s in Clydebank, Holy Cross in Knightswood and at All Saints.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, her funeral service in All Saints at 2 pm on Wednesday February 17 will be attended by family only.
Described by her proud daughter as ‘a true Banky’, Jessie was born in Clydebank. After leaving school she worked for Singers and met future husband Harry, who hailed from Bolton, Greater Manchester, but was enlisted with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The couple were parted for five years during the Second World War but exchanged love letters despite the distance.
Harry was not demobbed until 1946 as the Eighth Army was on guard duty in Austria, and when he returned to Britain the couple married in England, where their two eldest children were born.
Back in Scotland, Jessie stayed at home as a housewife before returning to work at Lewis’s in Glasgow – where she lied about her age, fearing her true date of birth would stop people from hiring her.
In retirement she kept busy, tending to her garden and going on holiday with Harry. The adventurous couple even spent two months in Japan visiting Janet, who was working there.
Janet said of Jessie, who had three great-grandchildren: “The church has always been a large part of Jessie’s life where she has made many lifelong friends.
“In retirement, for many years she played an active part in the running of her church, arranging the flowers and even on the rota for cleaning. She was always an active member of the Mothers’ Union too.”
• In 2019, Jessie featured in several newspapers including the Scotsman and Evening Times when, at the age of 99, she joined dance classes run by Scottish Ballet. A report in the Clydebank Post also carried a picture of Jessie, with daughter Janet, on her 100th birthday. All three articles carry further biographical information and interviews.
