Queen Elizabeth Court resident celebrates 100th birthday

Above: (L) Queen Elizabeth Court resident Sheila Oatway with her cake, gifts and a birthday card from the King and Queen Consort in celebration of her 100th birthday. (R)Sheila Oatway aged 22 with her husband Albert on their wedding day in July 1947.

Sheila Oatway, a resident at Queen Elizabeth Court, in Llandudno, celebrated her 100th birthday. To mark the special milestone, Sheila enjoyed a special celebration with family and friends complete with a beautiful decorated cake, gifts, and she received a card from the King and Queen Consort.

Resident Sheila celebrating her 100th birthday with her family at Queen Elizabeth Court.

Sheila was born in Manchester in October 1925, and after finishing school, she knew she wanted to work on the railways so began work straight away. She worked in Manchester most of her adult life as part of the office staff for the LNER railway.

During World War II, Sheila was a young girl, but she remembers it being a quiet but very dark time. She lived near a munitions factory and the whole area was often blacked out and everyone had to be quiet to avoid detection.

Sheila met her husband at their local church, St Barnabus, and they married in July 1947. Together, they enjoyed walks in the countryside, and later on family life. They went on to have two children, and today they have four grandchildren and many great grandchildren!

Her favourite activities at the Home includes Google Earth as she was not able to travel much when she was younger, and is grateful to see countries virtually. Sheila enjoys Spotify music sessions, as she loves requesting brass band music, due to memories of her father playing in a band.

When asked if she had any life lessons to share with the younger generations, Sheila says:

Always be honest and consider the feelings of others. Remember they may not be as able as you are.

Queen Elizabeth Court Activities Coordinator, Rachael said:

It was a privilege to celebrate Sheila’s 100^th Birthday with a party at our Home. She has shared many moving life stories and it was an honour to mark this wonderful occasion.

[Summary: Resident Sheila Oatway at Queen Elizabeth Court, in Llandudno, celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends.]