West Lothian woman who had to be revived at birth celebrates her 100th birthday

Daily Record

01-05-2025

A West Lothian woman who was thought to have died at birth has celebrated her 100th birthday. Margaret Johnston was born in her granny's house in Dalmeny on April 26, 1925. She was born "blue" and it was thought she hadn't survived the birth, she had been put aside until her granny noticed a small pulse at the side of her head. Baby Margaret was then placed in a bath of warm water and was revived, and is still going strong a century later. Margaret grew up in Stoneyburn, and spent most of her life there apart from the school holidays which she spent at her granny's. One of four children, Margaret is the last surviving sibling. She had an older sister, Jeannie, and younger sister, Olive. She also had a younger, brother George. Jeannie and Margaret were really close and when her big sister started school Margaret cried so much that the school allowed her to start a year early, so she went through school with her sister. Both then worked together 'in service' in a large household in Edinburgh to a Professor and his family – Margaret started working life at 14 years old and was the table maid, while Jeannie worked in the kitchen. Margaret went on to work in Bangour Hospital, and in Plessey Electronics factory in Bathgate, and then at Tippethill Hospital in Armadale as a kitchen assistant. She met husband, Tom, at Fauldhouse Miners' Club and they married a year-and-a-half later. Tom was in the Army and stationed in Newcastle, where they lived for a short time. Tom died in 2009. The couple had one son, Gordon, whom they both adored – Margaret called him her golden boy. Gordon married his wife Tracy, who Margaret treats like a daughter. They have never had a cross word and Tracy is constant visitor and companion to Margaret. Sadly, Gordon died late last year. Margaret does have two grandsons, Gordon and Tracy's son Andrew, who lives in Australia with his wife Laura and their five-year-old daughter Frankie; and Colin who lives in the United States with his wife Stacey. She would help out by watching her grandsons when they were small. Margaret often travelled to Portsmouth for holidays and visit her brother George. In her younger years, Margaret enjoyed knitting, and keeping up to date with current affairs. She also enjoyed bowling, indoor and outdoor. She liked watching TV Soaps and still enjoys her daily read of the newspaper. Margaret always kept a wee pet budgie and loves when one of the staff brings her budgies in for a visit. Margaret had been living in sheltered housing in Whitburn from around 2015 but moved into nearby Whitdale Care Home in August 2021, where her sibling Jeannie was a resident. They would spend every day together, with Margaret walking along to visit her sister. Jeannie passed away at the age of 99 years. Margaret felt she needed to move while she still had all of her faculties intact. The centenarian was an active member of Brucefield Church and had many friends, and one in particular, a neighbour Sadie, has been a constant visitor over many years. She still enjoys an occasional sherry, or a wee whisky and lemonade, or a sweetheart stout, and a nice meal and good plain food. Margaret said: 'I think the secret to my long life has been hard work. I've had good life but I've no desire to be really old!' Daughter-in-law Tracy, joined her for her birthday celebration at Whitdale where West Lothian's Lord Lieutenant, Moira Niven MBE presented Margaret with a framed birthday card from King Charles. Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .