Exeter care home resident celebrates her 100th birthday
A resident at RMBI Care Co. Home Cadogan Court in Exeter has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Joan Dyer enjoyed a party at the Home with her family, residents and staff. She was very surprised and delighted to receive an official birthday card from Her Majesty the Queen.
She was presented with a birthday cake made by the Home’s chef Rosie, whilst everyone sang Happy Birthday!
After a special lunch with her daughter Joanne, Joan enjoyed listening to Exeter harpist Luc Walpot and sipped some of her favourite prosecco. Joan had requested that Luc play on her birthday as he is her favourite performer.
Joan was born in Ilminster, Somerset on 3rd July 1919, just a few months after the end of the First World War. She was one of two children.
She left school at 14 years old and went to work in Minehead at her aunt's guest house.It was there that she learnt to cook, which became a lifelong passion. Joan was also very good at sewing and used to make most of her own clothes. Later she worked in Dyers clothing shop in Ilminster.
During the Second World War, Joan worked in the chemistry laboratory at The Standard Telephones and Cables Company and she also volunteered in the Fire Service.
Joan later met and married Edward Dyer, who was in The Royal Air Force. The couple had two children, Martin and Joanne and in 1959 they moved to Bideford in North Devon.
Joan is astounded by the changes the world has seen during her lifetime, particularly the use of cars and how easy it is now to travel.
Joan, who has a love for ballroom dancing, says that her secret to having a long life is: “Good living, cooking lots of good food and lots of laughter!”
Asked if she had any advice for young generations, Joan added: “Be happy, don’t work too hard and cook good meals.”
Abby Dawson, Activities Coordinator at RMBI Home Cadogan Court, said: “It was a privilege to celebrate Joan’s 100th birthday at our home. She is very well loved by everyone here and we wanted to do all we could to make it really special. She said her highlight of the day was opening and reading her card from The Queen with her daughter Joanne. She was so surprised to receive it!”
RMBI Home Cadogan Court is run by RMBI Care Co., part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. For more information please visit: http://www.rmbi.org.uk/
