She was born before the outbreak of the First World War and while the Titanic was still being built. But now Dartford’s oldest woman has died aged 104.

Elsie Garlinge was born in 1911 in Gravesend, but lived out her later years in Dartford. The mum-of-four was married to Fred Garlinge at Denton church in 1935 and they went on to have five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her son Jim, 77, a former consultant marine engineer, said: “She could talk about the First World War, living through the Depression in the 1930s and the Second World War, and had stories from all through the decades.

“It was quite a difficult life. She never had a lot of money, or great possessions. But, typical of that generation, she was resilient.”

Elsie had a lot of tragedy in her life. Her brother – and only sibling – died in 1941 due to an illness.

She also lost her daughter, and best friend, at far too young an age. Wendy passed away from a brain haemorrhage on her 37th birthday. Elsie then took on the role of mother for Wendy’s children to support her son-in-law.

Her husband, Fred, died in 1978 at the age of 65, leaving Elsie a widow for almost 40 years.

“She never judged us too harshly, though I’m sure at times we would have deserved it. She would always say, ‘put it down to experience, and move on’. She could take the sting out of everything.” - Jim Garlinge

Jim, from Wrotham, added: “All these things that happened, she just got on with it. She was terribly upset but she didn’t throw herself around. She responded by making extra effort with those around her.

“She was a lovely person, always careful that nothing would ever get her down. She was incredibly giving with her time and her help. Everyone who knew her saw her for the gentle and kind woman she was.

“She was a very supportive mother. She never judged us too harshly, though I’m sure at times we would have deserved it. She would always say, ‘put it down to experience, and move on’. She could take the sting out of everything.”

Elsie lived in Cambrian Grove and in Spencer Street, Gravesend before moving to Dartford with Fred, where she remained and was living with their eldest son, John, in Trevithick Drive, in her later years.

Most of the family are still based around Meopham and Dartford, though her daughter, Jill, and her family and children live in the US state Connecticut.

'We have so many good memories'

As a young woman Elsie worked at a jewellers in Gravesend and as a pianist – playing at ballet school after bringing up her children.

An avid reader, she was very bright.

She caught an infection and while in hospital contracted pneumonia, which saw her pass away on Sunday May 8.

Son Jim added: “She had been unwell for about a month, but until then was completely lucid, as sharp as anything, still enjoying crosswords. Pneumonia used to be the old man’s friend: it’s usually quite a peaceful way to go.

“When you get to 104, dying isn’t a tragedy, it’s just sad. But we have lots of good memories.

“I spent my first few years practically living in the air raid shelter. My father worked long hours in a munitions factory, so how my mother coped with four young children on her own, going down there all the time was amazing.

“She was surrounded by her family and always very interested in what they were doing.
“You never heard a bad word out of her, only friendship and love.

“Her family, particularly her grandchildren, are a real credit to her.”