104-year-old Essex care home resident shares the secret to a long life

 

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

Phyllis Cottrell, who lives at Care UK’s Manor Lodge on Manor Road, celebrated her 104^th birthday on 11^th July with her family, residents, and team members.

Phyllis was born in East London and grew up in Leyton, where she worked in a coil-winding factory and as a dinner lady. After her first husband, Victor, sadly died during WWII, Phyllis met her second husband, Charles (known as ‘Red’). The pair married in 1943 and enjoyed 73 years together. She has always enjoyed knitting and still teaches people to knit now, often laughing when they get it wrong. Phyllis also enjoys sewing, bingo and spending time with family.

Reflecting on her many happy years, Phyllis has shared her secret to living a long life: “Life is all about having fun, keeping in touch with people, looking after your appearance and having a smile!”

To help make Phyllis’s birthday one to remember, the team threw her a special party complete with a delicious birthday cake specially made by the home’s talented Head Chef and a gift of jellied eels brought by one of Phyllis’s friends!

Commenting on her big day, Phyllis said: “I had a fantastic day – it was wonderful having all my friends and relatives here to celebrate with me!”

Maggie Ziemianska, Home Manager at Manor Lodge, said: “Here at Manor Lodge, we love to throw a party for special occasions – and Phyllis’s birthday certainly called for a celebration!

“It was wonderful to see Phyllis surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone. The team worked tirelessly to make sure her day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to raise a glass to Phyllis!”

Manor Lodge is a modern care home that provides full-time residential, dementia nursing and short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.