‘Stay young at heart!’ 104-year-old Ware care home resident shares secret to long life

A 104-year-old resident at a care home in Ware has marked her birthday by giving advice for leading a long and happy life.

Kathleen “Kath” Sexton, who lives at Care UK’s Snowdrop House on Baldock Street, celebrated the latest milestone of her centenarian status with banners, balloons and a delicious cake organised by team members.

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, Kath said: “I’ve always liked to keep busy – I'm a very social person and not one for sitting around and doing nothing.

“I’m always happy and positive, and don’t want to become old and crusty! I’m very young at heart and always intend to be that way.”

Kath was born in South Tottenham and moved to Palmers Green, Enfield, when she was 14, where she studied at Pitman’s College. In 1941, Kath began working at the Halifax Building Society in Edmonton before being conscripted to the National Fire Service aged 20, where she served for four and a half years during the second world war.

After the war, Kath worked at Weatherall Green & Smith chartered surveyors on Chancery Lane for nine years before moving to Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Co. brewery in Brick Lane until she retired in 1981 aged 60.

Kath has always been a keen gardener and was a member of the Women’s Institute for many years. Some of her fondest memories include travelling with her sister, Winnie; their adventures included a boat trip along the Rhine and a train journey from Switzerland to Germany to watch the Oberammergau Passion Play. Nowadays, she stays active by playing plenty of golf and bowls at Snowdrop House.

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House, said: “We love to throw a party for special occasions – and Kath’s 104^th birthday certainly called for a huge celebration!

“Kath is always putting a smile on our faces and enjoys a party, so the team knew we had to make her birthday truly one to remember.

“It was wonderful to see her surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone, and we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to raise a glass to Kath.”

Snowdrop House is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.