Mary Cooper was born in Salisbury Cottage, Blairforkie Drive, Bridge of Allan, on April 19, 1918, and moved to Stirling in 1959.
And the 100-year-old has been chosen, along with fellow local resident Betty Imrie (92), of Nelson Place, to cut the ribbon on the bridge, which has been shut for six months to allow Network Rail to carry out the electrification of Stirling’s railway.
Initial estimates from Network Rail suggested the bridge would have to close for a full year but Stirling Council successfully negotiated that time frame down to six months to minimise disruption.
Mary said: “I’m proud to be chosen as the first person to walk across it and I’m looking forward to the day. It’s a special honour – and a lovely late birthday present!
“As a local resident, I know it has caused a lot of disruption in the area, and I’m delighted to see the bridge re-opening ahead of schedule.”
Mary worked as a Legal Secretary at Welsh & Robb Solicitors, Stirling, before moving to the Education Department of Stirling County Council, where she met her husband.
And she can still remember when horses and steam trains were a common sight in the Stirling area.
She said: “When I was a child, I used to play Peever (hopscotch), skipping and yo-yo, but I had to work too! I did a milk round with an old WW1 horse and cart before school and worked in the Buttercup Dairy in Bridge of Allan on a Saturday.
“The biggest change in Stirling in my life is the traffic. When we moved to Linden Avenue at first it was a quiet suburb and I could walk up town without having to cross any roads. When I was young, there were still horse-drawn carts and steam trains.
Mary added: “In the wider world the greatest invention over the past 100 years has probably been the medical advances, but for me it’s the front-loading washer/drier!
“I used to wash everything by hand and then put all the clothes through my small domestic wringer. I eventually got several twin tubs, which did not really cut down on the workload. The front-loader was a real Godsend!”
Growing up, Mary’s hobbies were the Guides, drama, Scottish country dancing and reading. Her favourite school subject was poetry, and in 1935, she was awarded a medal by the Glasgow Ballad Society for reciting Scots verse.
She attend Holy Trinity Church, Stirling every Sunday and goes to Stirling Literary Society and the North Parish Church Tuesday Group. So what’s her secret of a long life?
Mary said: “I’ve never smoked and only occasionally have a small glass of wine when dining out. I can still recite poetry and this has kept my mind active. I have also kept up my interests and get out and about with family and others. I do enjoy sweet treats too!”
The £8million Kerse Road Bridge project – with £1million funding from Stirling Council – has been completed on budget and on time.
From 2pm on Friday, it will be open two-way to all traffic without restrictions. The temporary pedestrian footbridge will remain in place until the New Year.
Councillor Jim Thomson, Convener of the Environment and Housing committee said: “I know today’s news will come as a huge relief for businesses, traders and residents as Kerse Road re-opens for traffic ahead of schedule.
“It is fitting that Mary, someone that has lived nearly all her life in Stirling over the past 100 years, will be the first person across the bridge.
“I am delighted that Stirling is back fully open for business, just the as the Christmas rush approaches.
“This essential work has caused inconvenience and has been tough for business and residents, particularly in the vicinity, and I would like to thank them all for their patience.
“The Council did all in its power to mitigate the disruption, principally negotiating with Network Rail to have the period of the road closures reduced from 12 months to six.
“Along with working closely with Network Rail to raise awareness, our carefully planned traffic management has allowed the city to continue to be a must-visit destination, hosting major events such as the Runrig concerts.
“In addition, the electrification of the track will offer quicker journey times, making the city more accessible, which can only be good news for the area.”
Note: Kerse Road bridge will be closed to traffic for two successive weekends in January to allow utility works to be carried out.