The secret to a long life according to 104-year-old Ware care home resident

A 104-year-old Ware care home resident has revealed her secret to living a long and happy life.

Winifred ‘Bobby’ Chuchla, who lives at Care UK’s Snowdrop House on Baldock Street, marked her 104^th birthday on 12^th January. Celebrating many happy years, Bobby shared that her key to a long life is staying active and having a strong support system.

To celebrate the occasion, the team at Snowdrop House threw Bobby a tea party to enjoy with her friends and family, complete with sandwiches and cakes specially made by the home’s talented Head Chef. To make the day extra special, the Mayor of Ware, Councillor Thomas Day, also joined everyone to raise a toast to Bobby.

Commenting on her big day, Bobby said: “I had a lovely time at my party and felt very spoilt!”

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House, added: “It’s a privilege to have Bobby here at Snowdrop House – she is a much-loved resident at the home and we all had a fantastic time celebrating her birthday.

“Supporting residents to lead fulfilling lives is a huge focus for the team, so we always like to go the extra mile to celebrate special occasions and Bobby’s birthday was no exception. We love any excuse for a party and to celebrate the wonderful people living at Snowdrop House.

“It was an honour to be part of Bobby’s special day and I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special – especially to Councillor Thomas Day!”

Bobby was born in Fitzhead, Somerset, in 1920. During the Second World War, Bobby joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service where she spent time travelling across the country to support in a number of vital roles. 

At the age of seventeen, Bobby met her late husband, Stan Chucla. The couple had one son together, Peter, who visits Bobby regularly along with his wife, Gill. Bobby has two grandchildren and is excitingly awaiting the arrival of her first great-grandchild due in February 

After the war ended, Bobby moved back to Somerset where she worked in a school teaching infants and juniors. Not quite ready to hang up her teaching hat, Bobby worked as a private tutor for many years following her retirement.

In her younger years, Bobby enjoyed keeping active and still participates in many of the activities on offer at Snowdrop House – including winning the home’s recent golf tournament. Bobby’s hobbies also include knitting and she has recently learned to crochet with the help of her fellow residents.

Snowdrop 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.