‘Fresh air’ – Hailsham resident reveals the secret to a long life on 102nd birthday

A resident at a care home in Hailsham has shared her secret for living a long and happy life on her 102nd birthday.

A very special celebration took place at Care UK’s Bowes House, on Battle Road, when resident Jean Marley turned 102 years ‘young’ on 10th February. 

 

To mark the occasion, Jean revealed her secret to a long life was spending time out in the fresh air and being with family when chatting to the care home team about her life.

On her birthday this year, the home team organised a whole day of celebrations, including a party, with Jean’s family, complete with a cake made by the home’s Head Chef, and a glass of bubbly to mark the occasion. 

Jean was born on 10th February 1919. When the Second World War broke out, Jean started working in an office which organised the supply of food for troops on the front line. She also worked as a fire warden, checking for fires during and after bombing raids and directing the fire service to put them out. 

After the war she met and married her husband, Colin, and they moved to Devon to settle down and have a family - together they had two daughters, Christine and Susan. Jean became a full-time housewife, while Colin worked for ITV. Jean loved living in Devon, and enjoyed the country life – particularly visiting local markets. 

Since moving to Bowes House, Jean continues to enjoy hobbies including reading and helping to tend to the home’s garden. 

Ryan Harris, Home Manager at Bowes House, said: “Jean is a much-loved resident at Bowes House, and it was a joy to celebrate her special day. Her secret to a long life is something we can all learn from!

“Jean has always been an outgoing person, and it was a pleasure to join her in celebrating this momentous occasion with her friends at the care home.

“Everything we do at Bowes House is based on helping residents have active and fulfilling lives, so we love to mark significant milestones - and Jean's 102nd birthday was no different. On Jean's special day, it was fantastic to raise a glass to her.”

Bowes House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has it very own café, cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation. The home has a comprehensive activity programme, offering a mix of themed events and group activities.

For further information on Bowes House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Karen Milligan, on 01323 888 611 or email karen.milligan@careuk.com.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/bowes-house.