A MUCH-LOVED Stretford stalwart, who worked at a construction firm until the grand old age of 93, has sadly died.

Betty Plevin died on Sunday May 7 at the age of 96.

The hard-working great grandmother’s working life spanned an incredible eighty years.

Betty was born in Maryport Cumbria in 1920, adding to five brothers and two sisters. She started work at 14 on a farm in Cockermouth, earning £22 for six month’s work.

She moved to work at Dunlop in Manchester to help with the war effort and when the war ended, Betty worked in Lyon's Coffee House, BEA restaurant services, at Mother's Pride in Old Trafford and at GEC.

Her last job was at Bridgewater Contracts, in Stretford, where she remained for many years.

She retired to Blackpool with husband Eric but decided she preferred working, so returned to Bridgewater.

Three days a week, Betty, who was by then in her 80s, travelled from Blackpool to Manchester to get to the office. She returned to Stretford and worked at the firm until she was 93.

Son John Fulton said: “She provided much fun and entertainment in the company, particularly appreciated by John and Andy.

“When it was suggested that she may like to retire her reaction was 'am I fired, like Alan Sugar does?' She was then invited instead to visit two days a week at the company's expense.

“On one such visit, she asked if she was being paid to go there. When a taxi took her to Bridgewater Hall instead one day, the £25 bill caused surprise, but was still paid.”

Betty was well known around the Brunel Close area of Stretford and she was always accompanied by her beloved dog, Molly.

And at 96, Betty was even invited for an interview at the job centre.

She moved into Manor Hey Nursing Home, Urmston, in 2014, where she retained her characteristic way of doing things.

She was living there when she died earlier this month, leaving son John, granddaughter Nicola and her husband Stewart, grandson Michael and great-granddaughter Martha.

Betty’s funeral will take place at Manchester Crematorium on Wednesday May 17, at 11.30am, A reception will follow at Chorlton Golf Club.