CENTENARIAN Sybil Canning died peacefully at Poole Hospital on August 26, aged 104.

Beloved wife of the late Joe, Mrs Canning was born in Devon but “did a bunk” to Bournemouth as a teenager, where she met her future husband working at Teak House.

She credited her longevity to a life of hard work and home grown food, and her home in Uppleby Road, Parkstone – where she lived for many years – was always well stocked with fruit and vegetables grown in the back yard.

She was a keen gardener and worked hard all through her life, never grumbling about anything.

She was the dearly loved mother of Alan, Don and Eric, and a great great-grandmother.

While she was still living in her own home her family joined her for a celebration in 2010 when she turned 100, receiving a telegram from the Queen. Some travelled from as far away as New Zealand and Australia.

Then, her son Alan said it was her “amazing strength” which had kept her going.

A celebration of her long life will be held at Poole Crematorium on Friday, September 12, at 12.30pm.