Cornwallis Court resident marks her 101st birthday with 101 birthday cards

A resident at Cornwallis Court, in Bury St Edmunds, has celebrated her 101^st birthday.

Dorothy Crane enjoyed a celebration at the Home, where she has lived since 2008, with her friends. Staff were determined to ensure that she had a memorable birthday, in spite of the pandemic. Activities Coordinators Emma Gibson and Sam Wiseman came up with an idea to mark Dorothy’s special day by arranging for 101 birthday cards to be sent from relatives and friends from the UK and overseas, and video calls as a surprise for Dorothy.

Dorothy was born in Ipswich on 27^th January 1920. She grew up Melton in Suffolk.

During the Second World War, Dorothy worked for the War Agricultural Committee. She also taught secretarial skills at The Colchester Institute in Essex.

Dorothy met and married her late husband Roy, who was a police officer. The couple lived happily in Tenerife for 22 years and Dorothy describes Roy as having been “a wonderful husband!”

She has enjoyed a very active life and has a love of flower arranging, holidays and sewing.

Dorothy says that her secret to having a long and happy life is:

a combination of determination and luck!

Asked if she had any advice for young generations at this time, she said:

the only way to get through this pandemic is to keep calm and don’t worry.

Denise O’Brien, Home Manager at Cornwallis Court, said:

Dorothy had a wonderful day celebrating her 101^st birthday with residents at our Home. She received flowers, video messages and cards from her family and friends. She told me she was truly happy and grateful for the efforts made by staff to make her birthday so special.