A CENTURY-OLD pensioner who was a teenager during the Second World War has shared her story to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Kitty Ockendon is a resident at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court care home, in Stisted.

Kitty, who turned 100 on January 15 was born and raised in Stanford-le-Hope.

She grew up with two older brothers and two older sisters, and her parents.

Halstead Gazette: Fashionable - Kitty Ockendon celebrating her birthdayFashionable - Kitty Ockendon celebrating her birthday (Image: Public)

She recalls having a happy childhood and being close to her parents.

At the age of 14, Kitty left school and headed for London, teaching herself shorthand.

Halstead Gazette: Fun - Kitty Ockendon enjoying a moment with an ex-racehorse during a horse visit to the care homeFun - Kitty Ockendon enjoying a moment with an ex-racehorse during a horse visit to the care home (Image: RMBI Care Co)

At the outbreak of the Second World War, she worked at the Thames Board Mills, in Purfleet, after the previous company she worked for was bombed.

She still remembers the terrifying Luftwaffe raids as bombs rained down on the capital during the Blitz.

She said: “I remember the sirens going off and having to run down a load of stairs to go underground.”

During the war effort, Kitty was part of the Girls Friendly Society and would often serve tea and cakes every Saturday.

She said being a part of the group made her feel “very proud”.

Halstead Gazette: New generation - Kitty Ockendon enjoying painting with two-year-old Teddy Dowell as part of a regular intergenerational activity to connect care home residents with their local communityNew generation - Kitty Ockendon enjoying painting with two-year-old Teddy Dowell as part of a regular intergenerational activity to connect care home residents with their local community (Image: RMBI Care Co)

Although times were dark, being a member at her local church helped, and her faith is still "very important” today.

Kitty later married husband Richard, and the couple moved to a cottage on a farm in Orsett, where they had two children.

She also discovered a love of horse riding.

Kitty is often visited at the care home by her children, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She talked about her life as a way of celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday.

Kitty had some wise words to mark the event, which celebrates the achievements of women past and present.

She said: “Enjoy yourself - that is the most important thing.

 “Life is meant to be lived, so live it, but do be careful along the way.

“Always be truthful, no matter what. You must be truthful because that’s all that matters and it is the way of life.”