A former magistrate who once met Princess Diana and attended two royal garden parties has died just a few days after celebrating her 100th birthday.
The funeral service of Elsie Galley, a former magistrate and respected community figure, was held at Pentrebychan Crematorium, Wrexham, where family and close friends gathered in tribute to her full and active life.
Among those who attended were representatives of Pendine Park’s Gwern Alyn care home, in Wrexham, where Elsie spent her final years and became a much-loved resident.
For her 100th birthday, staff laid on a party described as “fit for a queen”, with giant balloons, flowers, a bumper birthday cake and live music.
According to manager Cindy Clutton, it was a grand celebration for a great grandmother and a ‘real lady’ who was also exceptionally kind and modest.
She added: “We were all extremely saddened by Elsie’s passing. She was a remarkable, community-minded woman who gave so much to others over the years.
“We were proud to have her as part of our Gwern Alyn family and we will always remember with fondness that special day when she reached her milestone 100th birthday.”
To mark her centenary she received a congratulatory card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
A proud mum, grandmother and great-grandmother to May, aged three, Elsie was born on May 22, 1925,and was raised and educated in St Helens.
Following school she worked briefly for Pilkington Glass manufacturers.
She met her husband Trevor as he lived across the road at a butcher’s shop and the couple were married in June 1949.
They moved to Chester and then Hawarden when Trevor took on a successful management and then director position at Graesser Salicylates, pharmaceutical manufacturers of Aspro, Rennie and supplies for hospitals.
They had two children, Janet, who was born in 1956 and John, born in 1960, eventually moving from Hawarden to Mold, where they became well known in the local community.
In 1969 they were personally invited to the then Prince of Wales’s investiture at Caernarfon Castle. They were among a number of guests who received a commemorative chair as a souvenir of the Royal occasion.
Their dedication to public service also earned them invitations to other royal events, including Buckingham Palace garden parties where they met Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Princess Diana and other members of the Royal Family.
Elsie loved to travel and explore new countries and was pleased that during her life she managed to visit all of the world’s continents.
She became a Justice of the Peace in 1972, serving at Mold Magistrates’ Court.
She was also an active member of the Inner Wheel, a service organisation supporting the Rotary Club, with whom the couple shared a love of caravanning and organised international rallies.
Trevor was later awarded an OBE for services to Welsh industry, including with the Welsh National Water Development Authority with which he had been invited to take up a role by the then Lord Brecon. This authority eventually became the current Dwr Cymru.
Elsie went with Trevor to Buckingham Palace to receive his honour from Prince Charles on June 14, 1980.
After his retirement, the couple moved to Abergele, where they lived happily until Trevor passed away in 1994.
Elsie remained in Abergele and continued to be active in community and family life for many years.
She moved to Gwern Alyn in October 2023 after a short illness.
Her son John and his family live in Marchwiel where he ran the former local post office until its closure a few years ago.
John said: “The staff at Gwern Alyn were wonderful. Mum settled in well, and enjoyed the company of other residents, often joining in with singing and recreational activities.”
Music was a lifelong passion for Elsie, and care staff could often hear her singing as she moved through her day.
Senior care practitioner Vicky Garbutt said: “Elsie had a beautiful voice — one of her favourite songs was ‘Oh! Mr Porter,’ and she also loved ‘Daisy, Daisy.’ She brought so much joy to everyone.”
To mark her birthday, Gwern Alyn arranged a musical performance of classic hits from the 1950s and 60s, including Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and The Monkees, performed by professional singer Adam Jones.
Pendine Park owner Mario Kreft MBE was sorry to hear of Elsie’s loss.
He said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Elsie’s loving family. It is not often that we have the privilege of helping care for a resident who has reached the age of 100. It is an absolute honour for us to have played a part in her long and remarkable life.”
