‘Having the support of a loving family’ – local care home resident reveals secret to long life on 100th birthday

A resident at a care home in Leatherhead celebrated her 100^th birthday by sharing the secret to a long and happy life.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Liberham Lodge, on Rectory Lane, when resident Dorothy Boughey celebrated her 100^th birthday in style and revealed her secret to longevity was ‘living a simple life and having the support of a loving family.’

To celebrate the big day, the home decorated the home’s bistro with balloons and banners, and the home’s talented chef baked a special birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

Passionate about nature and the great outdoors, Dorothy was born into a rural life in a hamlet called Sansaw Heath, in Shropshire. After finishing school, Dorothy began her career working for a government office from 1939 to 1944, before leaving to have her daughter, Pam, who was born in 1945. 

Aged just 14, Dorothy met her husband, John, on her way to school. Being one year younger than herself, Dorothy was ‘miffed’ that she would always be the eldest in their relationship – something that she has often joked about. The couple went on to have two children, Chris and Pamela, and have four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren – who often visit Dorothy at Liberham Lodge. 

Dorothy’s favourite pastimes include crosswords, reading and knitting, which she regularly enjoys in the homes lounge. 

Jagpal Singh, General Manager at Liberham Lodge, said: “Dorothy is vibrant and much-loved resident, and it was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone with her own family and extended family of friends and team members here at Liberham Lodge.

“We always like to mark significant milestones at Liberham Lodge because everything we do is centred around our aim of helping residents have active and fulfilling lives. Dorothy’s 100^th birthday was no exception. On her special day, it was wonderful to raise a glass together and hear her favourite memories from her travels and childhood. Cheers to Dorothy!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Care UK incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the home has been configured to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more about Liberham Lodge, please email Vicky Radmore, Home Admissions Advisor on Victoria.Radmore@careuk.com, call 01372 887982 or visit careuk.com/liberham-lodge.