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Marjorie O’Hanlon from Stowmarket care home celebrates 100th birthday




A Suffolk care home resident celebrated her 100th birthday and has shared her secrets to a long and glamorous life.

Marjorie O’Hanlon marked the milestone at Cedrus House in Bittern Crescent, Stowmarket, on October 7 surrounded by family and friends.

Born in Blackpool in 1924, Marjorie’s career included working in gown shops before training as an auxiliary nurse.

Marjorie and her son, Martin, enjoying a glass of bubbly at the Stowmarket care home. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie and her son, Martin, enjoying a glass of bubbly at the Stowmarket care home. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie and her husband, Paddy, on their wedding day. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie and her husband, Paddy, on their wedding day. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK

Outside of work, she loved dancing at the Winter Gardens, where she met stars like Diana Dors and Josef Locke performing in Blackpool’s shows.

Reflecting on her life, Marjorie shared her secrets to longevity and style.

She said: “Stilettoes, colour coordinated clothing and never leaving home without red lipstick.

She has now shared some of her secrets to a long and glamorous life. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
She has now shared some of her secrets to a long and glamorous life. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie has two children, two grand children, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie has two children, two grand children, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK

“Good health, a busy and active life, shopping, eating cake and a whiskey at night.

“I had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends.”

Marjorie grew up with two brothers, Dick and Peter, and though she wanted to join the Land Army during World War Two, her father would not allow her to enlist.

She later met her husband, Bernard, known as Paddy, while working at the Vickers Aircraft Factory. They married in 1944 and lived in Southsea, Hampshire, before returning to Blackpool in 1948, then moving to St Annes on Sea, and eventually to the Welsh village of Boughrood in the late 1980s.

Marjorie worked a part time job in gown shops and then trained as an auxiliary nurse at a nursing home. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK
Marjorie worked a part time job in gown shops and then trained as an auxiliary nurse at a nursing home. Picture: Cedrus House, Care UK

Known for her style, Marjorie took pride in colour-coordinating every room in her home with gold accents.

The couple had two children together, Martin and Susan, and now have two grandchildren, Emma and Rebecca, five great grandchildren, Ayesha, Bradley, Ella, Araminta and Benedict, and two great great grandchildren, Millie and Frederick.

Ian Hetzel, the head chef at Cedrus House, made a special birthday cake for the occasion.

Home Manager Deepa Reju said: “It was an honour to celebrate Marjorie’s birthday with her.

“She is a beloved resident at Cedrus House and we all had a lovely time marking this tremendous milestone.

“Everything we do centres around supporting residents to live fulfilling lives, which is why we are always eager to mark special occasions. Marjorie’s 100th birthday was no exception, and it was a delight to hear her sound advice for living a long and glamorous life.”