First girl in family for 75 years: 100-year-old meets great-great granddaughter

Hannah Millington
·Health & Wellness Reporter
·3-min read
In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva - the first born girl for the first time in 75 years. See SWNS story SWNNgirl; A family who introduced their 100-year-old grandmother to her great-great-granddaughter has said that their baby is the first girl to be born in 75 years. Gwen Smith first met baby Maeva at her home in Dene Holm Residential Care Home in Northfleet, Kent - a meeting that spanned over five generations. In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva for the first time. Speaking about that day, Gwen's family said:
All five generations got together at 100-year-old Gwen Smith's carehome, a very special occassion for the Smith family (SWNS)

A 100-year-old grandmother has welcomed her great-great-granddaughter – the first girl to be born into the family for five generations.

After 75 years of the Smith family only having boys, Gwen Smith first met baby Maeva at her home, Dene Holm Residential Care home, in Northfleet, Kent.

The Smiths watched in delight as the 100-year-old held Maeva on her lap, both wearing matching pastel pink.

In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva (pictured) - the first born girl for the first time in 75 years. See SWNS story SWNNgirl; A family who introduced their 100-year-old grandmother to her great-great-granddaughter has said that their baby is the first girl to be born in 75 years. Gwen Smith first met baby Maeva at her home in Dene Holm Residential Care Home in Northfleet, Kent - a meeting that spanned over five generations. In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva for the first time. Speaking about that day, Gwen's family said:
Gween Smith meets baby Maeva, her great-great granddaughter, the first girl born into their family for 75 years (SWNS)

Speaking on the big day, Gwen's family said, "It was a very special occasion to get all five generations together, particularly during the pandemic.

"Strict protocols are still in place but the home's manager, Chris, permitted the visit for which we are all extremely grateful."

Gwen, who is due to turn 101 next month, is already a grandmother to five grandsons, eight great-grandsons, and six step great-grandson, and is extremely proud to meet the latest addition to the Smith family.

While her cataracts mean she can no longer see very well, her family said she was still tremendously happy to meet little Maeva.

Read more: Meet the woman with 92 grandchildren: Family spans six generations of girls

Gwen with her family, spanning over five generations. See SWNS story SWNNgirl; A family who introduced their 100-year-old grandmother to her great-great-granddaughter has said that their baby is the first girl to be born in 75 years. Gwen Smith first met baby Maeva at her home in Dene Holm Residential Care Home in Northfleet, Kent - a meeting that spanned over five generations. In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva for the first time. Speaking about that day, Gwen's family said:
The Smith family at Dene Holm Residential Care home, in Northfleet, Kent (SWNS)

Gwen's own life story is also also rather heart-warming. She was born in Essex on 28 February 1921, and then moved to Gravesend, where she became a keen dancer, performing at local events while working at her father's seed merchant shops in Kent.

She met her husband Ron, at just 16, when he was an apprentice electrician at Blue Circle Cement Works. But the the Second World War sadly separated the pair, with Ron sent overseas to serve with the Royal Engineers.

Read more: Premature baby born 15 weeks early and weighing just 1lb 6oz is home in time for Christmas

Gwen married Ron in 1940 after the Royal Engineer managed to get a special leave of just eight hours while stationed at the Isle of Grain in Rochester. See SWNS story SWNNgirl; A family who introduced their 100-year-old grandmother to her great-great-granddaughter has said that their baby is the first girl to be born in 75 years. Gwen Smith first met baby Maeva at her home in Dene Holm Residential Care Home in Northfleet, Kent - a meeting that spanned over five generations. In an incredibly special moment, the Smith family watched as the 100-year-old held Maeva for the first time. Speaking about that day, Gwen's family said:
Gwen Smith and her husband Ron, who she met at 16 (SWNS)

They had married at the height of the war in 1940 after Ron got granted special leave – albeit for just eight hours – while stationed at the Isle of Grain. They then had to wish each other farewell for as long as five years.

But all was not lost, as they reunited after the war, and finally got to enjoy many years of happy marriage, while travelling, and bringing up their two daughters, Gloria and Sandra, the later being the last girl to be born in the family since 1947, until baby Maeva of course.

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