100-year-old Stansted care home resident shares the secret to a long life

A 100-year-old Stansted care home resident has revealed her secret to living a long and happy life.

Margaret Goult, who lives at Care UK’s Mountfitchet House on Coltsfield, marked her 100^th birthday on 3^rd November. Celebrating many happy years, Margaret’s key to life is to “always smile and keep on singing”.

To mark the big day, the team decorated the home with balloons and banners and held a special afternoon tea for Margaret and her friends at the home. To make the occasion extra special, the home’s talented Head Chef also baked Margaret a birthday cake.

Joanna Duke, Home Manager at Mountfitchet House, added: “We all had a wonderful time celebrating Margaret’s birthday – she is a much-loved member of the Mountfitchet House family, always singing and putting a smile on our faces.

“We work hard to support residents to lead fulfilling lives, and marking special occasions and birthdays plays a huge part in this. We love any excuse to celebrate the amazing people living at Mountfitchet House and Margaret’s birthday was no exception. Everyone had a lovely time raising a toast and celebrating in style with a delicious afternoon tea.

“It was an honour to be part of Margaret’s special day and it’s a privilege to have her here at Mountfitchet House!”

Margaret was born in Newmarket, Suffolk, in 1923. During World War Two, Margaret was enlisted to join the Royal Artillery in the 93^rd Searchlight Regiment, an all-female British air defence unit which was based in Buckinghamshire. As a result of her service, Margaret was invited to a reunion on VE Day in 2005 to help raise a commemorative plaque alongside Dame Vera Lynn. 

During the War, Margaret met her first husband, Albert Reed. Together the couple had three children and travelled the world, living in Cananda before moving to Massachusetts, USA, where Margaret and Albert became US citizens. After many happy years together, Albert sadly passed away in 1979.

Margaret went on to marry for a second time in 1984, to Edward Goult, returning to England and to her hometown of Newmarket. The couple were married for 27 years before Edward passed away and during their time together went on many cruises, visiting countries including India, Australia, New Zealand and Alaska.

Prior to moving to Mountfitchet House, Margaret was an active member of the Newmarket Women’s Institute, where she acted as their secretary and organised many car boot sales to raise money. Now, Margaret enjoys singing and attending choir performances, as well as keeping in touch with her family, including six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mountfitchet House is a state-of-the-art care home which 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.