A SOUTHAMPTON woman who used to wash and repair the kits of the Saints in the late 1950s has died – days after reaching her 100th birthday.

Lily Witt has died four days after her landmark anniversary, which she spent surrounded by her family. She leaves sons, David Witt, 67, and Tony Witt, 65, who had been partying with her for her birthday at Northlands House Care Home in Southampton and called her a duchess for making it to 100.

David said: “We’re so proud of her for making it to such a special birthday and actually it’s quite special that she had a chance to see all her family and see them all happy before she passed.”

Mrs Witt lived in the city for almost 80 years and was an avid supporter of Southampton Football Club since working as a laundry lady being given the kits of the Southampton players – including Derek Reeves, John Sydenham and Terry Paine – from 1957 to 1959 to clean and repair.

She was a season ticket holder at The Dell until she lost her sight but she did witness the final game at the stadium, the 1-0 friendly win against Brighton on May 26, 2001.

Along with her two sons, Lily brought up David and Tony’s stepbrother Lynford and was also graced with five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Tony, a retired Ordnance Survey worker, remembered his mother in her younger years, he said: “She was a fantastic cook. I will always remember her cooking because she would always make the best food when we were children.”

Daily Echo: The Saints team in a kit prepared by Lily

Growing up was tough for Lily. She was the youngest of six siblings and after her mother died when she was only 18-monthsold, her father couldn’t cope and sent them into foster care. She was later moved into a workhouse.

During the Second World War, Lily worked at a munitions factory in Birkenhead where she tragically lost her best friend when the factory was bombed.

Her son David, a semiretired business owner, said: “I remember Uncle Victor used to say ‘Your mother will get to 100 because she is a tough old bird,’ which is something that we never believed would happen, but she did it and in a way we gave her the best possible send off.”