Chester care home residents share extraordinary life stories

‘Always believe in yourself’ and ‘be kind’ are examples of advice residents at a care home in Chester are sharing following celebrations for Women’s History Month.

Five residents at Care UK’s Deewater Grange, on Chester Road in Huntington, are reflecting on the remarkable stories behind their careers – from breaking barriers in education to breaking world records.

One resident who paved the way for women in healthcare in Chester at the Deva Hospital in psychiatric nursing is Beryl Lowndes. Beryl began nursing at just 16 and went on to dedicate nearly 50 years to compassionate care.

Rising to the position of assistant matron, she balanced demanding leadership responsibilities while supporting her family. She earned a reputation for her “firm but fair” approach – one that colleagues and patients alike admired throughout her career.

Offering her words of advice to young women today, Beryl said: “Keep going even if it feels tough”.

Another extraordinary resident at Deewater Grange is 96-year-old Vera Lee, a passionate bookmark collector who once held a world record. Although she is no longer in possession of the record, Vera continues to accumulate bookmarks and now has more than 2,000 stored in photo albums.

In 2022, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, the former teacher was proudly crowned queen of her village carnival – a highlight she remembers with great joy.

Encouraging today’s young women, Vera added: “Make time for the things you enjoy”. 

Fellow resident Anne Hartley is celebrated for breaking barriers in science at a time when few women pursued scientific careers. While working full-time, she earned a chemistry degree – a remarkable achievement for her generation. 

She later embraced adventure by moving to India with her young family and devoted decades to volunteering, strengthening her community through service and compassion.

Reflecting on what she wants young women to know, Anne said: “Don’t be afraid to try new things”.

After leaving school early to work, Ann Owens never gave up her dream of becoming a teacher. At 40, she returned to education, qualified and went on to inspire generations of children in Ruabon to read, write and grow in confidence.

Offering her words of advice to young women today, Ann said: ‘Stay true to who you are’.

As a young girl, Dr Judith Peters was told “university wasn’t for women” – however, she proved otherwise. In her 30s, while raising a young family, she enrolled with the Open University. She eventually achieved a PhD in developmental disorders in her 60s and is an inspirational example of determination and lifelong learning.

Wanting to inspire the next generation, Judith added: “Education opens doors… keep walking through them”.

Donna Howard, Home Manager at Deewater Grange, said: “We feel incredibly privileged to care for such pioneering and inspirational women.

“These women grew up at a time when their opportunities were limited, yet each one rewrote the script in her own way. Whether it was stepping into male-dominated fields, returning to education later in life or achieving extraordinary personal milestones, they have all defied expectations with courage and conviction.

“Their stories inspire our team, their fellow residents and everyone who hears them. We’re so proud to celebrate their achievements during Women’s History Month and hope their words encourage young girls in Chester and beyond to believe in their own potential.”

Deewater Grange is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. It has been designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, and incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities including its own pub, cinema and hair and beauty salon. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.