103-year-old Ware care home resident shares the secret to a long life

 

A 103-year-old Ware care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

Kathleen “Kath” Sexton, who lives at Care UK’s Snowdrop House on Baldock Street, celebrated her 103^rd birthday on 7^th November with family, residents, and team members.

Kath was born in South Tottenham and moved to Palmers Green, Enfield, when she was 14 where she studied at Pitman’s College. In 1941, Kath began working at the Halifax Building Society in Edmonton before being conscripted to the National Fire Service at age 20, where she served for four and half years during World War Two.

After WWII, Kath worked at Weatherall Green and Smith Chartered Surveyors on Chancery Lane for nine years before moving to Truman, Hanbury, Buxton and Co Brewery in Brick Lane until she retired in 1981, aged 60.

Kath spent many happy years travelling with her sister Winnie. Their adventures included a boat trip along The Rhine and a train journey from Switzerland to Germany to watch The Oberammergau Passion Play, a large-scale production held every 10 years that tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Family is important to Kath, and her cousin’s children are a huge part of her life. Kath has also been a pet mum to cocker spaniels, Tony and Queenie, a Yorkshire Terrier called Bonzo, a cat named Fluff and tortoises, Tommy and Paddy.

Reflecting on her many happy years, Kath has shared her secret to living a long life: “Never marrying or having children. I loved the freedom of being able to travel and going to the theatre with my sister Winnie.”

To help make Kath’s birthday one to remember, the team threw her a special “this is your life” themed party at the home where her former college friends and co-workers sent cards, flowers, and video messages. Kath was also surprised with a visit from a co-worker from Truman’s Brewery, as well as a performance by 50s and 60s entertainer Jonny Parish. The celebration concluded with a birthday cake baked by the home’s talented Head Chef, and a visit from Hertford Fire Station.

Kath added: “It was such a super surprise, I felt spoiled with all the presents and beautiful flowers and cards – it really was a birthday to remember.”

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House said: “We love to throw a party for special occasions at Snowdrop House – and Kath’s 103rd birthday certainly called for a huge celebration!

“Kath is always putting a smile on our faces and enjoys a party, so the team knew we had to make her birthday truly one to remember. It was wonderful to see her surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to raise a glass to Kath.”

Snowdrop House is a state-of-the-art care home that 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.