A WINCHESTER care home resident celebrated her 100th birthday in style with friends, family, a movie of her life and a card from the King.
With a career in the women’s branch of the army in the Second World War, travels around the world and a family, Eileen Jones had much to celebrate on her 100th birthday.
The team at the Signature care home in Stockbridge Road, kicked off the festivities by serving a family meal before songs including Eileen’s requests, Happy Birthday and 50s, 60s and 70s classics.
After a dance and singalong, Eileen was showered in gifts and cards before the much-anticipated card from King Charles III for her centenary year.
Speaking on reaching the milestone, Eileen said: “It does not make any difference to me, as I am still the same person that I was years ago. Every time I go to bed my goal is to wake up a day older and continue to enjoy life as much as I can – that is the advice I would give others.”
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Signature’s Winchester general manager, Michelle Japlit, said: “Eileen has a quirky sense of humour and is very easy to connect with. She always finds positivity in everything she does, and she can effortlessly touch your heart.”
The day concluded with an afternoon tea party alongside Eileen’s fellow residents. The group then watched a movie of her life with the soundtrack of Can’t help falling in love by Elvis Presley before finishing with a birthday cake freshly prepared by the home’s catering team.
Eileen, who was born in Littlehampton, joined the World War II effort in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) at 17.
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Stationed in Guildford, Reading, Kingston, and Hampstead, the army women helped to plot the movements of enemy aircraft for the anti-aircraft defences that were crucial for protection against strikes upon the country.
It was during this period that Eileen met her husband-to-be, who she married after the war. The couple spent much of their lives in North London, raising their two children.
The couple developed a true taste for travel, with Eileen even embarking on solo trips down the River Nile and across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II ocean liner after her husband died in 2005.
The mother of two moved to Signature at Winchester in 2018, where she enjoys activities such as flower arranging, music classes and arts and crafts.
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