Ivy Bean
Encyclopedia
Ivy Bean was a British internet personality, known for being the oldest person in the world on both Facebook
and Twitter
.
, as one of 8 children. She went to school at James Street School in Thornton and left at 14 to go and work at the Prospect Mill. During her time at the mill, she worked firstly in spinning and then in the winding department. She later married Harold Bean, a soldier in the Royal Army Service Corps
who briefly served in North Africa. After Harold left the army, he and Ivy went to work in service for the Lord and Lady Guiness at Greens Norton Hall in Northampton. It was during their time there that they had their only daughter, Sandra.
After several years in Bedford, the family returned to Bradford and Bean began working for Arthur Crossland, a local mill owner. She had worked for Crossland for about 18 years when he died and she decided it was time to retire. A few months later, she began working for her former boss' daughter. Several years later, Bean retired for the second time, aged 73, a little while after her husband Harold died, aged 75. She would remain on her own until the age of 92, when she moved into a residential home, where she remained for ten years, until the home closed down and she moved into another care facility, just one week before her 102nd birthday.
she had seen.
Singer Peter Andre
had a private meeting with Bean in September 2009 while in Bradford for a book signing. She visited Prime Minister Gordon Brown
and his wife Sarah in Downing Street early in 2010. Some time after creating her Facebook page, Bean also joined Twitter
, when she passed the maximum number of friends allowed by Facebook. At the time of her death, she had 4,962 friends on Facebook and more than 56,000 followers on Twitter.
. On 23 July, Bean returned home but her condition worsened and at 12:08 am on 28 July, she died at the age of 104. Admirers Stephen Fry
and Graham Linehan
were saddened by the news.
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
.
Early life
Ivy Asquith was born in BradfordBradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, as one of 8 children. She went to school at James Street School in Thornton and left at 14 to go and work at the Prospect Mill. During her time at the mill, she worked firstly in spinning and then in the winding department. She later married Harold Bean, a soldier in the Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
who briefly served in North Africa. After Harold left the army, he and Ivy went to work in service for the Lord and Lady Guiness at Greens Norton Hall in Northampton. It was during their time there that they had their only daughter, Sandra.
After several years in Bedford, the family returned to Bradford and Bean began working for Arthur Crossland, a local mill owner. She had worked for Crossland for about 18 years when he died and she decided it was time to retire. A few months later, she began working for her former boss' daughter. Several years later, Bean retired for the second time, aged 73, a little while after her husband Harold died, aged 75. She would remain on her own until the age of 92, when she moved into a residential home, where she remained for ten years, until the home closed down and she moved into another care facility, just one week before her 102nd birthday.
Later years and fame
In 2007 she first accessed the internet via a computer given by social services to her care home. In 2008, at the age of 102, Bean joined Facebook, making her one of its oldest members. An inspiration to other residents, she quickly became more widely known, and several fan pages were made in her honour. Bean discussed her life in a care home, her favourite meal, and episodes of Deal or No DealDeal or No Deal (UK game show)
Deal or No Deal is the United Kingdom version of the Endemol game show format Deal or No Deal, hosted by Noel Edmonds. 1,758 shows have been aired...
she had seen.
Singer Peter Andre
Peter André
Peter James Andrea , better known by the stage name as Peter Andre, is an English-born Australian musician, singer-songwriter, television personality and businessman. As a recording artist, he has achieving four top 10 UK albums and ten top 10 singles.-Early life:Andre was born at Northwick Park...
had a private meeting with Bean in September 2009 while in Bradford for a book signing. She visited Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
and his wife Sarah in Downing Street early in 2010. Some time after creating her Facebook page, Bean also joined Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, when she passed the maximum number of friends allowed by Facebook. At the time of her death, she had 4,962 friends on Facebook and more than 56,000 followers on Twitter.
Illness and death
In early July 2010, staff at Bean's care home reported on her Twitter account that she had been admitted to hospital, but that she was in good spirits and would be back online as soon as her health allowed. A week later it was reported that she was suffering from liver failureLiver failure
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease , and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage . The complications are hepatic encephalopathy and impaired protein synthesis...
. On 23 July, Bean returned home but her condition worsened and at 12:08 am on 28 July, she died at the age of 104. Admirers Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
and Graham Linehan
Graham Linehan
Graham Linehan is an Irish television writer, actor, comedian and director who, often in partnership with Arthur Mathews, has written or co-written a number of popular television comedies...
were saddened by the news.