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

Good food and plenty of sleep could be the secret to reaching 100 years old, according to a Sidcup care home resident.

100-year-old Mary Ferrao, a resident at Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, on Frognal Avenue, shared her wisdom to mark her newly minted centenarian status as she celebrated her milestone birthday. 

Mary was born on 11^th March 1926 in Pulau Penang, an island off the coast of Malaysia, where her father, a Chief Engineer in the Dutch Merchant Marines, was stationed. She was happily married to her husband Philip for 38 years from 1953, after meeting in a record store in Singapore – they had a mutual love of swing music, particularly Artie Shaw.

Due to the uprisings in the Far East, the family returned to Europe and eventually settled in London in 1957. 

Together they raised their son Hans, and Mary worked at Brompton Hospital as secretary to Dutch Hospital Almoner Ada Doorenbos, who became a life-long friend. The family took frequent trips to Holland where Hans learned to speak Dutch.

After buying a house in the 1960s in Mytchett, a tiny village in Surrey, “where two cars equalled the rush hour”, Mary worked for Harvey Hubble, an American technical instrument company, and then became a medical secretary for the Royal Army Medical Corps at Keogh Barracks, where she worked until retirement.

After sadly losing her husband Philip and her mother in 1991, there was talk of her returning to Holland, but she decided to stay put and pursue her passion for languages – English and Dutch. In addition, she became fluent in French, German, and even Russian. She had also picked up some Malay in her time in the Far East. Mary was overjoyed when her family grew with the arrival of two grandsons.

Her other great passion is music, and she had been a highly proficient pianist since her youth and had ambitions to turn professional, but unfortunately, her parents deemed it “un-ladylike”.

Since moving into Smyth Lodge two years ago, her son Hans and his wife Alison have popped in for regular visits and they’ve all agreed she’s settled in very well – particularly enjoying anything music-related.

Mary's milestone birthday was celebrated with a special party at Smyth Lodge, surrounded by family members and friends, with a delicious birthday cake specially made by the home’s Head Chef.

Reflecting on her many happy years, Mary revealed that her secret to living a long life is “Good genes, good food and plenty of sleep!”

Tracey Cheeseman, Home Manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “Mary is such a cherished part of our Smyth Lodge family, and it was wonderful to see her surrounded by loved ones as we celebrated this amazing milestone.

“We’re passionate about helping residents live full, active lives, so marking a 100th birthday is always incredibly special. It was a joy to raise a glass with her and hear her advice for a long, healthy life – I’ll certainly be taking her advice about getting more sleep!”

Smyth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and offers luxury facilities including its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon, gym and pub.