Anna Macdonald Celebrates 100th Birthday in Troon

A Troon woman who spent much of her life working, volunteering and supporting her local community is preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday on 29 May.

Annie Longley Malcolm Macdonald, known as Anna, was born on 29 May 1926 at 44 Rannoch Street, Cathcart, Glasgow.

Before her marriage, Anna worked in offices for Glasgow City Council and British Oxygen. In 1952, she married Calum Macdonald and later became a full-time mother to their two children, Alistair, born in 1959, and Elizabeth-Ann, born in 1962.

The family moved to Troon in 1964, where Anna would go on to become a familiar face in the town. In 1966, she began working at Troon Telephone Exchange, remaining there until its closure in 1973. The exchange was one of the last manual telephone exchanges to close, and Anna and some of her colleagues were photographed by the local newspaper during its final days.

She continued her career with British Telecom at Ayr Exchange, where she worked until her retirement in 1986.

Retirement brought a busy new chapter for Anna. She volunteered with Oxfam, helped run a keep-fit class from Ivy Cottage in Troon, and organised many bus trips for the group.

Anna also became a keen and accomplished bowler at Troon Bowling Club, where she later served as president. Her love of bowling took her on many holidays, while her wider love of travel saw her enjoy cruises, a trip to the Far East, a safari in South Africa, and visits to Canada to see family.

In 2002, Anna joined family and friends at the South Beach Hotel in Troon to celebrate her own mother’s 100th birthday.

Now, Anna reaches the same remarkable milestone herself. She is surrounded by a loving family, including four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Everyone at Ayrshire Daily News would like to wish Anna a truly wonderful and happy 100th birthday for 29 May.

We hope she enjoys a very special celebration surrounded by her family, friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she marks this incredible milestone.