‘Hoping for the best’ – Hailsham resident reveals the secret to a long life on 101st birthday

Home news

Feb 26, 2021

A resident at a care home in Hailsham has shared her secret for living a long and happy life on her 101^st birthday.

A very special celebration took place at Care UK’s Bowes House, on Battle Road, when resident Jean Marley turned 101 years ‘young’ on 10^th February.

To mark the occasion, Jean revealed her secret was ‘hoping for the best’ when chatting to the care home team about her life.

On her birthday this year, the home team organised a Zoom call with her family and loved ones.  In the afternoon, there was a party, complete with a cake made by the home’s Head Chef, and a glass of bubbly to mark the occasion.

Jean was born on 10^th February 1919. When the Second World War broke out Jean started working in an office which organised the supply of food for troops on the front line. She also worked as a fire warden, checking for fires during and after bombing raids and directing the fire service to put them out.

After the war she met and married her husband, Colin, and they moved to Devon to settle down, where together they had two daughters, Christine and Susan. Jean became a full-time housewife, while Colin worked for ITV. Jean loved living in Devon, and enjoyed the country life – particularly visiting local markets.

Since moving to Bowes House, Jean continues to enjoy hobbies including reading and helping to tend to the home’s garden.

Ryan Harris, Home Manager at Bowes House, said: “Jean is a well-loved resident at Bowes House, and it was wonderful to celebrate her big day. Her secret to a long life if something we can all learn from!

“Jean has always been sociable and it was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible occasion with her friends here at the care home.

“Here at Bowes House, everything we do is focused around our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, so we always like to celebrate important milestones – and Jean’s 101^st birthday was no exception. It was lovely to raise a glass to Jean on her special day.”

Bowes House is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has it very own café, cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation. The home has a comprehensive activity programme, offering a mix of themed events and group activities.

For further information on Bowes House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Karen Milligan, on 01323 888 611 or email karen.milligan@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/bowes-house