Oaktree Hall and Lodge in Bridlington would like to pay tribute to Lydia, who sadly passed away on the 13th February 2026, aged 107. Lydia, who joined us in December 2025 to be closer to her much-loved family, had an incredible life story and will be missed by all the staff and residents in the home. To help celebrate Lydia’s life and story, the home and her family wanted to share some of their favourite stories of her.
A Life Well Lived
Lydia spent an astonishing 107 years living in Leeds, primarily in the Scholes area, where she built a full and happy life surrounded by family and community. She was married to her beloved husband, John, for an incredible 70 years and grew up as one of nine siblings.
Family has always been at the heart of Lydia’s life, where she was a doting aunt to her nieces and nephews. In later years, two of her siblings even lived on the same street, ensuring they remained close and connected.
An Incredible Contribution
One of the most fascinating chapters of Lydia’s life was her work during and after the Second World War. She worked at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Leeds – also known as the Barnbow Munitions Factory – where she worked on the crane gantries to help build tanks.
Her husband, John, was a member of the armed forces, serving in the RAF during the Second World War. Despite not being a fan of heights, Lydia rose to the challenge in her role at the ROF, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience.
After her time at the ROF, Lydia went on to work as a seamstress, a profession she truly loved. Not one to slow down, she continued working well into later life and didn’t retire until her 80s, finishing her career as a cleaner. Proof that hard work and determination have always been part of who she was.
Holidays, Hobbies & A Love of Bingo
When she wasn’t working, Lydia enjoyed making treasured memories with her family. She continued travelling abroad well into her 90s, with plenty of trips to make the most of the warm weather and relax by a swimming pool
One of Lydia’s favourite pastimes was bingo, which she loved playing with her husband and family.
One of A Kind
Lydia will be a greatly missed by the Oaktree Hall and Lodge family. Her life story was truly inspiring, and her warmth and humour was something that touched the hearts of our staff and her fellow residents.