100-year-old Stansted care home resident puts Rod Stewart at the top of her birthday wish list

A Stansted care home resident marked her 100^th birthday with a star-studded wish.

Joan Grose, from Care UK’s Mountfitchet House, on Coltsfield, celebrated her 100^th birthday on 17^th September with a party to be remembered.

A lifelong Rod Stewart fan, Joan was lucky enough to meet the star six years ago at a local store. She was delighted to have her photo taken with the celebrity and made him laugh when she admitted his music is her go-to when ironing. When Joan shared that her birthday wish was to be reunited with her idol, the team set out to give her a birthday party to remember.

Knowing the distance from Essex to Los Angeles was too far for Rod to pop in for an afternoon, the team arranged the next best thing – surprising Joan with a visit from Greg Dorrell, a Rod Stewart impersonator. Greg gave Joan and her friends at the home their own private performance, singing a range of Rod Stewart’s best-known hits, including Joan’s favourite, ‘Sailing’, and ‘Forever Young’ – the perfect reminder that 100 is the new 20.

Commenting on her big day, Joan said: “It was the best party I have ever attended – the team had planned so many surprises. It’s almost impossible to say what my favourite part of the day was, but Rod Stewart definitely added a special touch. I feel great to have reached such a milestone!”

To help make Joan’s birthday even more special, the team threw Joan a party, inviting her family, friends and fellow residents, complete with a red carpet entrance, party food and a special cake specially made by the home’s talented Head Chef.

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, said: “Joan is a much-loved resident here at Mountfitchet House, and it’s no secret that she’s a huge Rod Stewart fan – she has every album he’s ever made and is always playing them and having a boogie. 

“When Joan shared that she’d once been lucky enough to meet him and that her birthday wish was to meet him again, the team knew they had to organise a surprise she’d never forget – the look on Joan’s face when Greg walked in was priceless!

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the team for making Joan’s birthday such a special one – and Rod, if you see this, it’s not too late to send a birthday card!”

Mountfitchet House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.