A right royal celebration for 90th birthday at Colchester care home

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May 05, 2016

HRH The Queen is not the only person who has been celebrating her 90th birthday.  Celebrations have also been under way at Silversprings care home in Colchester where resident, Joan Moreton, turned 90 on Wednesday 27th April. 

Joan, who has lived at Silversprings for two years, was joined by her daughter Kathryn and residents for a birthday party hosted by the team at the home.  Highlights throughout the day included cards and presents from Joan’s family, and a cake which had been specially baked by the care home’s chef.

Joan Lilian Smith was born in Old Brentford on 27th April 1926.  Her parents, Fred and Lilian Smith, and brother Don were delighted with ‘their own little princess’. Joan had a happy childhood but was evacuated to the countryside during the war. Her family moved to their new bakery, Druce and Smith’s, in South Ealing and Joan met John Stanley Moreton.  They got married on her parents’ wedding anniversary, 18th June 1955, at St Mary’s Church, Ealing. 

John and Joan moved to Colchester in 1955 and together they had daughters Susan, Nancy and Kathryn.  Joan now has two granddaughters and one grandson. Joan held several different jobs throughout her working life, including a stint as a civil servant in the Post Office before getting married.  She then took up the position of secretary at Greenstead Primary School, Colchester and then she worked as a secretary at St. Thomas More’s Roman Catholic Primary School after having children.   

Joan also ran a Brownie Pack, St Anne’s, for many years and took on the role of Brown Owl. She was a keen bobbin lacemaker and belonged to Essex Lacemakers (ELM). Joan attended the Parsons Heath Ladies Club for many years before moving to Silversprings.

Silversprings’ home manager, Maggie Ziemianska, said:  “Joan is very happy to be celebrating her 90th birthday just days apart from The Queen’s 90th birthday, and we wanted to take the opportunity to make the day as special as possible for Joan – and for her family and friends.  

“Residents are at the heart of everything we do at Silversprings.  We think it is incredibly important to take the time to commemorate birthdays and anniversaries, and to keep to any traditions residents may have.  We all had a wonderful time celebrating with Joan and marking this very special occasion.”