First Food or Freedom? ቅድሚያ ዳቦ ወይስ ነፃነት?: a 104 year old woman tells the secret of the long age is this food

Friday, May 26, 2017

a 104 year old woman tells the secret of the long age is this food

And teetotal Mary reached her landmark day by raising a glass of orange as her friends and family sipped on champagne, while she received yet another birthday card from the Queen.

The former domestic worker, who loves to joke, still has a memory like an elephant, sweeps the snow away from her bungalow in the winter and without fail makes sure she visits her hairdresser every week.

Born before the First World War and in the same year as two American Presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald R Ford, activist Rosa Parks and actors Sid James and Peter Cushing, she chose to reminisce about the good old days at a party thrown for her.

“I’ve never been a smoker or a drinker and I think that’s helped me to live to a good age,” said Mary. “I also make myself a bacon sandwich every morning and I think that’s the biggest secret.”

© Provided by Trinity Mirror Plc Credits: Newcastle ChronicleWidow Mary, who has lived independently at Your Homes Newcastle’s Welbeck Green sheltered housing in Walker for 26 years, added: “It was lovely having everyone singing happy birthday to me. And I enjoyed seeing all my friends and family.”

Sheltered housing staff and residents previously threw a big party for Mary’s 100th birthday in 2013, and they were keen to celebrate again this year.
Credits: Newcastle Chronicle

© Provided by Trinity Mirror Plc Credits: Newcastle ChronicleHousing officer Maureen Ball decided on an “old and new” theme for the party, so the buffet was presented on a tablecloth that was also over 100 years old, and guests brought along modern party props to get Mary into a fun spirit.

And they reminisced of her past as stories were told about Mary’s domestic work at hotels in Scarborough and London and how she travelled to the capital by boat from the Tyne for £1 each way.

Margaret, who visits Mary every week, also says her aunt’s memory is still incredibly sharp despite her age, which proves useful when Margaret and John help with her Christmas cards.

door numbers off the top of her head and she remembers their birthdays too.

“It makes it really easy for us when John acts as postman for her.”

© Provided by Trinity Mirror Plc Credits: newcastle chronicleMary still visits her hairdresser once a week with her friend Dot and likes to be smartly dressed every day – often having her jewellery on when her carer arrives in the morning.

Maureen said: “Mary’s fantastic, she still lives quite independently and she even brushes the snow away from the front of her bungalow in the winter – you really wouldn’t believe she was 104 if you met her.

“There’s a lovely sense of community spirit at Welbeck Green, with everyone enjoying getting together for a celebration and lots of people baking and making things for special occasions like this.

“Mary really enjoys the parties, so it was great to have one in her honour and to see her surrounded by her friends and family.

“It’s days like these that make my job so special and I’m thrilled to have been able to make this such a special day for Mary too.”