Mary Elizabeth Hogg was born on 6th June 1870 in Sicklinghall, Yorkshire - she was always known as 'Lillie'. The eldest of five children, her father was a farmer and her mother was schoolmistress at Linton School for 30 years. Lillie remained single all her life and nobody in the family had ever mentioned any romance. She was known for her determination whenever she set her mind to something. |  Lillie on her 100th birthday |
She happened to buy a book called, 'How To Live 100 Years' and clearly meant business.
Lillie's brother Charles was once quoted as saying, 'She'll outlive us all!' He was right. She outlived all her siblings by many years.
She never touched alcohol and appears to have led a very simple life. She never travelled far and it's possible that most of her life was spent within a few miles radius of her birthplace.
When Lillie celebrated her 100th birthday a memorable family party was held and the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate attended and, of course, a telegram arrived from the Queen.
| Lillie was a great hoarder and was reluctant to throw anything away. Without this trait 'How to Live 100 Years' may have long since been discarded. After her death, her nephew, John Hogg, also carefully kept the book - no doubt realising its significance. Elizabeth Harfleet, his daughter, rediscovered the work amongst other books and personal papers in a box during an attic clear out some years after her father's death. In her middle years Lillie overcame breast cancer at a time when knowledge and treatment of the disease was in its infancy. She had her appendix removed in her old age but otherwise seems to have been relatively free of health problems, other than the increasing frailty of old age. She loved natural remedies and regularly wrote letters to place orders with manufacturers and herbalists. The pages of 'How to Live 100 Years' had been marked by her in several places. |  Lillie (right) and younger sister |
Despite her great interest in natural health and herbal remedies, Lillie clearly believed in the old saying, 'A little of what you fancy...' She always had a jar of sweets in her cupboard and particularly enjoyed Farrah's Harrogate Toffee. She also had a soft spot for pastry and was partial to apple pie with a piece of cheese around midnight.