Linwood care home held party for 106 year old resident

Grace McDermott from Shepperton celebrated her 106th birthday on Thursday 6 December, at a party with family, fellow residents and staff. 

Mrs McDermott, who likes to be called ‘Mac’, blew out her candles at the party held for her at Anchor’s Linwood care home in Mercer Close, where she has lived since earlier this year.

Grace was born in Wandsworth and worked as a Ward Orderly. Grace was married to Arthur in 1934, with whom she had two daughters and now has six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. The Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Shweta Kapadia and her Consort kindly visited Linwood for the celebration and presented Grace with a lovely bouquet of flowers, with her birthday gift, on behalf of the home.  Mrs McDermott said on turning 106: “I can’t believe it!”

Jennifer, Grace’s daughter said, “I look up to mum as she has always been a fantastic mother. I always saw her as extremely independent, fearless, outgoing and she took on the world with no reservations.”

Grace’s granddaughter Mel recalls her grand-mother always loving to take long walks, getting good bargains and found that every Christmas with her was exciting because they never knew what presents they would get. When Mel was asked what one liner’s she would use to describe her grand-mother, Mel said she was a “shockingly bad cook” and a “tough old bird!”

Eva Trochim, Home Manager at Anchor’s Linwood said: “Grace is a lovely person and we enjoyed making her day one that she will hopefully cherish. Grace enjoys knitting and watching TV. She also loves having a chat and a giggle with our carers. 

At Linwood we pride ourselves on making each person’s journey individual by celebrating each milestone for all our residents”.

For further information on Linwood care home, please call free on 0800 085 4279.