BIOGRAPHY

Bastin was born as Daisy Winifred Elizabeth Fryer in Lympstone, Devon, England on 3 May 1908 as one of seven children born to Welsh-born William Fryer and his wife Carrie. She married Alfred Charles “Alf” Bastin in 1931. The couple had one son, Michael, in 1934.

During the 1930s, Bastin worked as a nanny for a local doctor before the family moved to London. She acquired employment as a nippy, the name given to waitresses in the Lyons tearooms. Her husband was a hotel porter, and later enlisted in the Navy during World War II, surviving the sinking of three ships. Her son also joined the Navy as a young adult.

Bastin and her husband, who had suffered with ill health since returning home from the war, moved to Somerset in the late 1970s to be closer to their son. She was widowed in 1980. In her later years, she still lived independently with carers visiting four times daily. She was admitted to hospital in January 2017 after suffering from balance issues and two minor falls, but was discharged not long afterwards.

Bastin stated that her fondest memory was travelling to Australia, staying with her sister for nine weeks instead of the planned two. She was enthralled by the wildlife and relished her sister’s company.

As a supercentenarian, Bastin was known for her smile, and enjoyed eating fresh onions, claiming they were “good for the skin.” She died in Glastonbury, Somerset on 2 January 2020 at the age of 111 years, 244 days. She had no grandchildren, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 107-year-old Emily Bentley (17 January 1908 – 9 November 2015) of Castle Cary, she became the oldest (known) living person in Somerset. She held the title until her own passing in January 2020, when she was succeeded by Margaret Reed.

At the time of her passing, she was the fourth-oldest living person in the United Kingdom, after Bob Weighton, Joan Hocquard, and Violet Davies-Evans.

Bastin’s age was verified by Andrew Holmes and validated by the ESO on 25 September 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “108 year old Somerset resident, Daisy Bastin, from Glastonbury ‘grateful’ for long and happy life after treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital” – Somerset County Gazette, 12 January 2017

* “Secret to long life? Fourth oldest woman in England, aged 109, says key is fresh ONIONS” – Express.co.uk, 4 May 2017

* “Live longer: One of Britain’s oldest people praises ONIONS” – Express.co.uk, 4 May 2018

GALLERY