A resident at a care home in Enfield recently celebrated her 106th birthday and shared her secret to living a long and happy life.
Winifred ‘Joan’ Simpson, a resident at Care UK’s Elizabeth Lodge, on Pennington Drive, marked her 106th birthday with a party at the home, where the team decorated the lounge, and the Head Chef made a special cake. The Mayor of Enfield, Councillor Mohammad Islam, also joined the celebration to wish Joan a happy birthday.
Joan was born in Southwark, London on 21st February 1919 and worked as a secretary in her younger years.
She met her husband William at an Old School Dance Club in New Cross that she visited with some friends, and she and William danced together. The pair later married in 1947 and have a daughter, Jillian, who later brought two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren into the family.
William and Joan ran a funeral parlour together and lived above the premises stating ‘it was always a topic of conversation and there was never a dull moment. One of Joan’s favourite memories was the laughs everyone had when her daughter would be dropped off after a date outside the funeral parlour, and said ‘no one ever wanted to stop by for a coffee.’
Joan has always been a very active person and enjoyed tai chi classes at the home up until recently. She also enjoys watching theatre performances and enjoyed travelling in her younger years.
When asked what the secret to living a long and happy life was, Joan joked: “Now if I were to tell you that it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.”
She later shared that her secret is: “Working all my life, keeping active both mentally and physically, taking an interest in others and having a great family around me.”
Michelle Sampang, Home Manager at Elizabeth Lodge, said: “Joan is a much-loved resident at Elizabeth Lodge, and it was great to be a part of such a special day.
“We’re committed to helping residents live fulfilling lives, which is why we love to celebrate big milestones – and Joan’s birthday 106th birthday is a huge milestone indeed! It was great to listen to her share her favourite memories and words of wisdom with everyone – there aren’t many people doing Tai Chi well into their 100s and I think we should all take a leaf out of Joan’s book!
“I’d like to say a big thank you to the entire team for making the day so wonderful and to Councillor Mohammad Islam for coming to celebrate Joan’s special day.”
Elizabeth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and it has its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.
To find out more about Elizabeth Lodge, call Home Manager Michelle Sampang on 02038 089 606, or email [email protected]
