Vivian Power was only 6 when she had first met Patricia Stead at the start of World War II.
And she celebrated with her Aug. 16 as Stead marked her 105th birthday with her fellow residents at Pueblo Norte Senior Living in Scottsdale.
Power’s parents lived in a two-story home in New York City, where her parents agreed to house three British soldiers.
One of them was Stead.
“She used to help me with my homework, play marbles with me and she was so kind,” Power said.
Stead enlisted in the British military at the start of World War II. During her service, she was part of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, working as a plotter and spotter.
“She had to be able to identify any aircraft, know the exact time and direction it was going so that she could alert the Allies to what was happening, and try to avert the aircraft from bombing England and other countries that were allies,” Power explained.
Her skill at aircraft identification, paired with her sharp eyesight and intelligence, led to assignments on secret government missions, according to Power, her executrix and friend.
Stead also was stationed in Egypt for 18 months, and learned to speak some Arabic.
At the end of the war, Stead left the military and entered the hotel business in New Yor City, becoming became the first female hotel manager for overseeing Wyndham Hotel in Manhattan.
At hotel management meetings, Stead found herself to be the only woman in the room.
Other staff were not always kind. “She was tough. If you weren’t good, you were out,” Power said.
As manager, Stead had all the top floor suites of the hotel remodeled, attracting many celebrities of the time, such as actor Gig Young and former President Richard Nixon.
Nixon enjoyed the suites so much that he used them as a headquarters for his presidential campaign the year he won the election in 1968.
Stead lived in New York until her early 70s, when she followed her partner to Scottsdale and began working at Scottsdale House, a residential complex that included a dining hall, golf course and various amenities.
In her downtime, Stead was an excellent artist and hiker and hiked Arizona trails, painting in oils and occasionally dabbling in watercolor.
Power said Stead was also considered an incredible golfer, adding, “Her game was quite precise.”
For seven and a half years now, Stead has resided at the Pueblo Norte, where her artwork decorates the walls in its art room.
She also is still very involved in her community, regularly donating money to 35 to 40 charities.
“She supports everything – veterans, the donkeys, the elephants, the trees, the national parks, conservatories. She’s very generous,” Power said.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, Stead held her 105th birthday with a Britain-themed party that featured Union Jack flags on tables, British tea and little finger sandwiches.
Guests wore fascinators, bowties, and top hats while taking pictures in front of a London backdrop.
Stead also received a letter from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, telling her:
“What a splendid achievement! We send you our congratulations and warmest wishes.”