Narey Garden Centre's Joan Narey still working at 90

Joan Narey has a work ethic that would put many of us to shame. Come the end of each day, Mrs Narey can still be found at Narey's Garden Centre in Bury Road, keeping the books, making sure the tills balance, and making sure everything runs smoothly.

“I do enjoy it – if they come right, that is!” laughed Mrs Narey.

Mrs Narey says that her love for puzzles and numbers keeps her mind agile. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Mrs Narey said she still enjoys work, and has no plans to retire just yet. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Joan Narey, nee Joan Elliott, was born in Mendlesham on February 11, 1934. Her family later moved to Earl Stonham.

From the age of 11, Mrs Narey would be up early each morning to cycle the four-mile journey to her school in Stowmarket.

Her schooldays were marked by the Second World War, and she can remember having to keep her gas mask close by and diving under tables to take shelter from the bombs.

“When the Doodlebugs came over, it used to make the house vibrate,” she remembered.

After leaving school, Mrs Narey began attending college in Ipswich. It was here that she met the man who was to become her husband, John Narey.

It was Mr Narey’s parents who established the garden centre in 1955, the year that John and Joan tied the knot.

Together, they welcomed two children, then three grandchildren, and Mrs Narey is now a proud great-grandmother of two.

Mrs Narey said that she enjoys life at Narey's so much, it never occurred to her to retire. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Narey's has been open since 1955. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mrs Narey worked first for Gudgeons, Peecock and Prentice before joining her husband in the family business.

Four generations of Nareys have now worked in the garden centre, with Mrs Narey’s children and grandchildren having picked up the mantle.

However, Mrs Narey has no plans to give up work just yet.

“I never thought of giving up, not really,” she said as one of the perks of the job is being able to see her family every day.

She also credits balancing the books with keeping her mind agile – this, along with her love of puzzles and quiz shows, such as The Chase.

Mrs Narey celebrated her 90th birthday in style with a meal out with her family on Sunday.