A PRESTONPANS woman has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends and her day care community.
Isabella 'Bebe' Berg marked the milestone on September 9 with a party at Castlepark Bowling Club.
The event was filled with music, laughter and memories, reflecting Bebe’s lifelong love of dancing and good company.
Fiona Mitchell, manager at Harlawhill Day Care Centre, said: "When Bebe first visited, I told her she could be the first lady at Harlawhill to reach 100.
"Her answer was that she was only visiting and might not be back.
"She arrived looking so smart in her high heels that I almost wanted to see her birth certificate because she certainly didn’t look 96."
Bebe was collected from her home by Tony from TT Taxis and welcomed to the party with entertainment from two of her favourites: Stevie, performing as Elvis, and Vic.
Music and dancing played a central part in the day.
The catering was generously sponsored by Tom Knight of T.K. S. Plumbing, a long-time supporter of Harlawhill Day Care Centre.
FoodzUp in Tranent supplied soup, sausage rolls, pies and individual afternoon tea boxes for all guests.
Born and raised in Tranent, Bebe was one of six children and often speaks fondly of her mother and her childhood.
She moved to Prestonpans after marrying her husband George and has lived in the same house on Preston Crescent for 74 years.
Bebe has held various jobs throughout her life, including at a woollen mill, a garage, Binns department store and finally Standard Life, where she worked until retirement.
She was also a skilled seamstress, making clothes for her daughter Sandra and doing repairs and alterations for others on her Singer sewing machine.
When a vintage Singer machine was recently donated to Harlawhill, it sparked many memories for Bebe, who enjoyed reminiscing about her sewing days.
Bebe and George shared a love of dancing and travel, and enjoyed holidays in many different countries.
Family has always been central to her life.
Her daughter Sandra and son-in-law Alan are parents to Lesley and Lindsey, and Bebe is also great-grandmother to Lindsey’s sons Haakon and Kaare.
It was Lindsey who first referred Bebe to Harlawhill Day Care Centre at age 96, though it took some convincing.
Bebe, who was still driving at the time and believed the centre was "for old folk", eventually agreed to attend but made no promises about going back.
However, she quickly settled in and began attending twice a week.
Over the past four years, she has become one of Harlawhill’s most well-known and beloved members.
Fiona said: "For months, Bebe has been telling me, 'You know Fiona, I’m only not giving in to please you,' because she remembered me saying that I wanted her to become our first lady to celebrate her 100th birthday at Harlawhill.
"She is one remarkable lady and her Harlawhill family absolutely love her."
Bebe has received more than 100 birthday cards from well-wishers, including one from Africa.
Instead of gifts, she asked for cards and suggested that anyone wishing to give a present make a donation to Harlawhill’s appeal for a replacement accessible minibus.
Her birthday appeal has raised £1,700 so far.
Reflecting on her milestone, Bebe said: "I don’t feel any older than 99.
"I feel just like I did the first day I came to the centre when I was 96.
"I’d like to thank everyone for all the cards and gifts that I’ve received.
"I’m astonished and amazed at the number of people I don’t even know who were kind enough to send them."
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