By Paul Drury
Mary Lee Milroy skipped school to seize her big chance in the music industry.
She beat Vera Lynn to the top spot in the Melody Maker’s readers poll for the best singer of 1937.
During World War Two Mary sang on radio and performed with an RAF dance band.
In 1952, she married the comedian Jack Milroy while the pair were appearing in the summer season at Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre.
Jack would go on to form the ‘Francie and Josie’ partnership with Rikki Fulton, which starred in theatre and later on TV.
Their marriage lasted for more than forty years and Jack died in February 2001.
She is an Honorary Member and Honorary Vice-President of the Scottish Music Hall Society.
Mary celebrated her 100th birthday last August.