Stansted 102-year-old reveals secret to long life

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Oct 13, 2017

Mountfitchet has celebrated the 102nd birthday of a popular resident who has attributed her long life to a happy marriage and achieving all of her goals. 

Marjorie Tanner celebrated the impressive milestone with family members, friends and residents at Mountfitchet House in Coltsfield. Everyone toasted Marjorie’s good health with a glass of wine and tucked into a slice of birthday cake.

Revealing the secret to living to 102, Marjorie Tanner said: “There is no secret really, but I had a very happy marriage and I’m pleased to say that I have done everything that I set out to achieve in my life – that does give one a great deal of contentment!”

Allison Squires, home manager, said: “We always like to make an occasion of birthdays, and Marjorie’s 102nd birthday is no exception. We made sure that she had a great day and presented her with a special birthday cake to mark the milestone. It was lovely to be joined by Marjorie’s family to celebrate such a special occasion.”

Marjorie Tanner was born in Harlesden, London on 23rd September 1915, and was an only child. She studied at Roundwood private college until the age of 12, before moving to a convent for two years and then joining the civil service to become a writer.

A passionate writer, Marjorie worked for Waygood Otis Lift Company, an elevator manufacturer, for three years before moving to Heinz where she worked there for 10 years.

Marjorie and Godfrey were married in June 1939, just before the start of the Second World War. Godfrey went off to serve in the army and they were forced to live apart for four and a half years, after which they were happily reunited and lived together in Bristol.  

In her spare time, Marjorie enjoyed crafts and regularly made her own lampshades – one of her lampshades is now proudly on display in her bedroom at Mountfitchet House.  

Marjorie moved into Mountfitchet House in February 2016.