ONE of Dorset’s oldest women has passed away peacefully, just two months before her 108th birthday.

Centenarian May McDermott was born at Grove Cottage in the hamlet of Tadwick, near Bath, on July 17, 1905. Longevity ran in her family; her father George, a master plasterer, died at the age of 105.

May was in service in Dorchester during the Second World War and also worked at a rubber factory in Wiltshire which made gas masks. Her husband Frank worked for Texaco in Poole. A keen horsewoman and wonderful painter, May celebrated her 107th birthday with staff and other residents at Cynthia Close, Poole, last July.

Housing officer Lynne Holloway described May then as “a real treasure”, adding: “She loves watching TV, especially Jeremy Kyle and has a lot to say about the stories they feature. She still has a wonderful appetite.”

Despite receiving birthday greetings from the Queen, May’s final wish was to meet Prince William.

Her great-nephew Peter Smith, who lives in Wiltshire, said: “She was a very cheerful, pleasant woman.”

May died at Cynthia Close on May 23. Her funeral service was held at Poole Crematorium on June 13.