Harrow care home resident, 101, shares secret to long life

A 101-year-old resident at a care home in Harrow has marked her birthday by giving advice for leading a long and happy life.

Ethel Luck, who lives at Care UK’s Buchanan Court on Sudbury Hill, celebrated the latest milestone of her centenarian status with balloons, banners and a delicious cake organised by the care home team.

 

She was thrilled to be surrounded by friends and family as they came together to mark her momentous day – and she even passed on some of her wisdom.

When asked for her secret to living a long and rewarding life, Ethel said: “Get active and be positive!”

Ethel was born in Camden, living with her parents and three younger brothers until the age of 15, when she and her siblings were evacuated to Weston-super-Mare to avoid the wartime bombings.

Once she returned to London, Ethel decided to train as a shorthand typist and began her career at the Boots Pure Drug Company, which played a crucial role in the war, before moving on to Kigu, a jewellery company. This is where she met Harry Luck, the man who would become her husband.

The pair married on Christmas Eve in 1949 and spent their years in various parts of north-west London before settling down in West Hendon. Together they raised two daughters, Anne and Jackie, who now have two children each themselves.

Throughout her life, Ethel has always been a keen open-water swimmer. Her family often visited Herne Bay in Kent, where Ethel made it a tradition to swim a length and back of the pier.

Laurentiu Iordachescu, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “Ethel is a much-loved resident at the home, and it was wonderful to see her surrounded by friends as we celebrated her special day.

“We love to mark incredible milestones, and Ethel’s 101^st birthday was a great way to create new memories while also reminiscing about old ones.

“It was lovely to raise a glass together on her special day and hear her advice for a long and healthy life. She’s lived by her mantra for years and always has an optimistic outlook.” 

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema room, pub and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.