A cheerful centenarian has celebrated her 100 up with a glass of sherry and a game of dominoes.
Birthday girl Doris Lester also received a telegram from the Queen at the Gwern Alyn Care Home in Wrexham where she is now a resident.
And there’s nothing to living to a ripe old age, according to Doris who said: “There’s no secret, I have just lived a normal life full of lots of love.”
Doris, who only moved into the home run by the Pendine Park care organisation four years ago at the age of 96, was paid a birthday visit by the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Ian Roberts, who wisely declined the offer of a game of dominoes – Doris rarely loses.
He said it was a privilege to meet her and added: “I am delighted to have been able to visit Gwern Alyn House to celebrate Doris’ 100th birthday and to be welcomed by such a wonderful smile.
“I decided to turn down the chance of a game of dominoes as, by all accounts, Doris, despite her age, is practically unbeatable.”
She was born Doris Ruggins in Leytonstone, in London, in 1911, three years before the First World War. George V had been crowned the previous year and the Liberals under Herbert Asquith were in government with Lloyd George as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
She and her late husband, Edward, moved to Wrexham more than 25 years ago to be closer to their daughter, Jackie, who has since sadly passed away but Jackie’s husband, Alfred Woolnough, still visits her regularly and says she is a wonderful lady.
He said: “She has had a great life which she has lived to the full. She married her husband, Edward, and they had two children, my dear wife Jackie and a son David.
“Doris and Edward moved to Cornwall where they ran a small hotel and then a post office and shop. She later worked as a school cook in Cornwall too.
“They moved to Gwersylt in the mid 1980’s to be closer to their daughter. Sadly Edward died and Jackie then passed away almost 10 years ago now.
“I looked after Doris until four years ago when I had a Christmas away. She was supposed to be going to stay with her son David in High Wycombe for Christmas but at the last moment she refused to go and said she was staying in North Wales.
“She can be quite stubborn and David had no choice but to get her an emergency place in Gwern Alyn House and she has lived happily here ever since.”
He added: “She really enjoys Gwern Alyn. She’s warm, safe and has the best possible care. The staff are absolutely brilliant and I know she is very content.
And of course she’ll challenge anyone to a game of dominoes or cards and, believe me, she rarely loses.”
The Manager of Gwern Alyn, Mildred Heyward, who has herself clocked up an amazing 51 years’ in nursing, says Doris is a wonderful and well-loved resident.
She said: “She is a remarkable lady who still loves to play dominoes and cards and invariably wins!
“She is quiet and unassuming but enjoys life to the full here at Gwern Alyn.”
