Tributes to fun-loving Pauline ‘Twig’ Anderson who defied the odds to live to 60 after premature birth and cerebral palsy diagnosis

When baby “Twig” was born three months early and weighing just 2lbs and 10oz, her parents were told she wasn’t going to make it and advised them to get her christened.

But the tiny tot, Violet and Frederick Anderson’s eighth child, miraculously pulled through.

Six months later, Pauline “Twig” Anderson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and doctors warned the family she would not live beyond the age of 21.

Her milestone birthday came and went and, yet again, Pauline, the youngest of four brothers and three sisters, who lived in Weedswood, just outside Chatham, defied all odds.

Remarkably, 40 years, later she was still going strong - living life to the full despite her physical disability and being wheelchair-bound.

Affectionately nicknamed after the 60s model Twiggy, who was the queen of the catwalk when she was born, she embraced life in the community where she was born, grew up and lived in the same house in Mayweed Avenue.

She drank at the local, the Woodmans Tavern, enjoyed a flutter on the horses at the bookies on the estate and was popular with shopkeepers and residents in her neighbourhood.

Pauline was also an avid Arsenal fan and loved to belt out pop songs.

It was her remarkable resilience that kept her going 60 years after the close-knit family were told she would not survive.

As sister Patricia, 67, put it: ”She was a fighter from the offset. She had to be.”

But undoubtedly it was the strong network of the family unit that played a key role in her determination to carry on regardless.

Patricia added: “To us she was normal, apart from her physical disability, and was mentally so bright, funny and generous.

“We were brought up to look out for each other and there was always one of us around Twig 24/7.

“Somebody to do her hair, take her to the amusement arcades at Leysdown. As teenagers we used to do what all teenagers do together.”

Twig celebrated her 60th birthday at Patricia’s home in Wigmore which she described as the best day of her life.

She fell ill last spring and after three weeks in hospital was told she was “end of life”.

Defiant as ever, she refused to stay in the ward, came off her medication and returned home to spend her final days with 89-year-old mum Violet and her siblings.

Violet’s husband Frederick, who worked long hours to support his family and held down two jobs including one at undertakers, died from a heart attack when he was 54.

The children are Paul, 70, Philip, 68, Pat, 67, Peter, 66, Pam, 65, Paula 64, Perry, 63 and Pauline - and have always been known as The Eight Ps on the estate where they lived.”

Twig passed away on Saturday April 20, her family by her bedside.

Patricia, a retired letting manager, said: “She knew it was her time. We talked about dying and about her funeral. She wanted a horse-drawn hearse with black horses and she wanted to people to wear black.

“And she wanted everyone to have a raffle ticket to buy a drink with.

“Twig never wanted sympathy. She gave more to people than she took.”

Fittingly, the cortege passed through Weedswood where residents lined the streets as it made its way to Medway Crematorium at Blue Bell Hill .

The wake was held at Walderslade Working Men’s Club.

We know she will be up there with him partying hard

Patricia, speaking on behalf of the family on what would have been her dad’s 90th birthday, said: ”We know she will be up there with him partying hard.

“She was our little miracle who was raised and loved by her parents and never alone having four brothers and three sisters.

“This world has become a different place to us all, we will forever miss her but her legacy lives on in us all.”

In her younger years Pauline underwent an operation to her legs but due to her small frame, this was unsuccessful hence being wheelchair bound for life.

“This didn’t matter to us as the family cared for her we believe that’s what gave her 40 years beyond her life expectancy,” added Patricia.

“This world has become a different place to us all, we will forever miss her but her legacy lives on in us all.”