Tributes to Bermondsey's Ada Aves

Monday, 01 March 2010

By Sam Masters

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “shining star” who has died aged 109.

Lifelong Bermondsey girl Ada Aves died peacefully on Sunday at St Thomas' Hospital in Waterloo.

The great-great-grandmother and Millwall fan is thought to have been the second oldest person living in Southwark before she died.

Two months ago, Mrs Aves was full of life as she celebrated her birthday with a card from the Queen at her home in Rock Grove Way, Bermondsey.

She was born in 1900 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne, and lived through the first powered flight and the invention of television and computers.

Of her seven siblings, only her 100-year old sister Mary is still alive.

Mrs Aves worked at a Tooley Street cocoa factory and as a waitress at a Lyons restaurant during the 1930s.

She was married to Albert for more than 60 years before he died in 1983.

Together they had two children, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Despite the threat of bombs, she decided to stay in Bermondsey rather than move to the safety of the countryside during the Blitz.

Celebrating her birthday in November, she told the South London Press about her visits to The Den to cheer on Millwall.

She said: “I paid a shilling to get into my first game. Everyone was wearing hats and smoking. There were no seats and we all had rattles.”

Her grandson Dean Aves said the secret to Mrs Aves’s long life was a “healthy appetite” and doing crosswords to “keep her sharp”.

He said: “She was a lovely lady, she really was.

"She was kind and never lost her temper.

“She was a good influence on me growing up. She was my shining star.

“She was a family person and she loved having everyone around her.

“I’ll always remember her as my lovely little nan.”

Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, said: “Everyone who knew Ada would have been touched by her warmth, fun and real interest in her family, community and other people.”

Mr Hughes has been asked to give a eulogy at Mrs Aves’ funeral on March 11, which will be held at St James’ Church in St James’ Road, Bermondsey.

To leave your tributes to Mrs Aves please fill in the comment form below.

Email: sam.masters@slp.co.uk

For the full story, you can get a full online edition at www.slp-e-edition.co.uk

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4 comments on this news item

Posted by : Josie Smith, North Bucks | Wednesday 17/Mar/2010 | Report this comment

Dear Nanny Ada,although my aunt,I was brought up when young with Elaine and Steve who called her Nanny,therefore so did I.Nanny Ada my mother’s elder sister.Nanny has been a constant in my life; a warm, loving, full of fun wonderful human being who I shall miss very much.She has always been there and her passing has created a void.I will never forget you nanny and will always love you.

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Posted by : Percival Family, Chertsey, Surrey | Monday 15/Mar/2010 | Report this comment

Ada was our nan’s(Charlotte)sister and our dad’s (Leslie)aunt and it was with great sadness that we heard that Aunt Ada had passed away. We were with her as she celebrated her 100th birthday in the millennium year and more recently in 2005 at the 70th birthday party of another family member. Always a very cheerful lady. The Percival Family

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Posted by : GARY NOKES, Erith Kent | Saturday 13/Mar/2010 | Report this comment

We’ll meet again, Don’t know where, Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through, Just like you always do Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say ’Hello’ To the folks that I know Tell them I won’t be long They’ll be happy to know That as you saw me go I was singing this song

We’ll meet again, Don’t know where, Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

[ We’ll meet again, Don’t know where Don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day. Keep smiling through Just like you always do, ’Til the blue skies Drive the dark clouds far away So will you please say’Hello’ To the folks that I know. Tell them I won’t be long. They’ll be happy to know That as you saw me go, I was singin’ this song.

We’ll meet again, Don’t know where, Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

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