East Kilbride resident reveals laughter and family are the secrets to living to 100

A resident at a care home in East Kilbride celebrated her 100^th birthday and revealed the secret to a long life.

Birthday celebrations were in full swing at Care UK’s Cathkin House, on Glasgow Road, when resident Jeanie Browning celebrated her 100^th birthday. 

Jeanie turned 100 years ‘young’ on 29^th October, and when asked about how she felt about becoming a centenarian, Jeanie said: “It was lovely having all my family together for one day- although I don’t feel any different! I’m just a little older now!”

She also revealed that the secret to a long life is having a “good sense of humour, laughing a lot, enjoying a gossip with friends, and spending time with family.”

On the big day, the home team organised a party surrounded by her family at Cathkin House. In true celebratory fashion, the team decorated the home’s lounge with balloons, banners and surprised Jeanine with 100 cupcakes, baked by the one of staff at the home, for everyone to enjoy. 

Jeanie was born in Kinning Park, Glasgow, on 29^th October 1923. Just before her 16^th birthday, World War Two broke out, and so Jeanie took a factory job where she helped build munitions for the war effort. It was here that she met her husband, Robert Browning, who she would later marry on 7^th April 1944. 

After the War, Jeanie worked as a dinner lady in several schools but particularly enjoyed her time at Woodcare Nursery, where she would often interact with the children and teachers, asking them about their day and the things they were learning in lessons. 

In 1960, Jeanie and Robert moved into a brand-new house in South Nitshill, Glasgow. This was Jeanie’s first home with a bathroom and washing boiler in the kitchen – meaning no more outdoor trips to use the toilet or wash clothes. Although a then modern-day luxury, Jeanie missed her frequent visits outside and continued to keep her much-loved outdoor washboard for sunny days. 

The couple made the house their home with Jeanie regularly changing the room’s curtains resulting in owning hundreds of pairs – something she never had growing up in her childhood. Jeanie said: “If you had a nice window, nobody knew you had nothing else!”

Jeanie has two daughters, Jeanette and Audrey, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, who often visit Jeanie at Cathkin House where they take part in the home’s intergenerational activities. 

Nisha Sujeewon, Home Manager at Cathkin House, said: “Jeanie is a much-loved resident here at Cathkin House and her centenarian birthday was the perfect excuse to celebrate her life’s achievements.

“Everything we do at Cathkin House is focused on our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, so we were delighted to mark this fantastic milestone with a spectacular party, making it a day to remember. 

“The team worked tirelessly to make sure her day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to wish Jeanie a very happy birthday. Cheers to Jeanie!”

Cathkin House provides dementia, nursing and nursing dementia care, and has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and has plenty of space indoor, and out, to relax.