St Anne’s care home resident Mary celebrates her 100th birthday

Mary Barnes, a resident at St Anne’s care home in Saltash was joined by members of her family for a party to celebrate reaching 100 years old. 

Mary received hordes of cards, including one from the King and Queen. She was also visited by Saltash Mayor Cllr Julia Pegg.

Mary was born on the 28 August 1924 at Penzance Hospital and was the youngest child of William and Evelyn Matthews.

She grew up in the small Cornish village of Paul with her three older siblings, John, Ellen and Hugh. Her father William was a fisherman and miner who worked hard along with Evelyn during the hard times of the Great Depression to provide for the family.

Just before the Second World War, Mary met William (Billy) Barnes, the love of her life, a merchant seaman from Penzance who spent the whole of the war in active service on various convoys including the Atlantic and Russian convoys (as well as the D-Day landings).

The couple married in July 1944. Unfortunately, they lost their first child Valerie in September 1946 (aged only three weeks) to illness.

Mary and Billy raised three children, Margaret, Stuart and Gerald, living in Paul, Newlyn and Penzance.

Family was everything to the couple. They spent time supporting Mary’s young nephews when her sister-in-law passed away. They also nursed Mary’s mother in their own home while raising three children.

Tragically, Billy passed away in February 1980. Mary continued to work at the Newlyn Wool Shop for many years before retiring and moving back to Paul in early 2000. 

Mary has six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, spread throughout England and Australia who all adore her. When asked what she feels the secrets to her long, healthy life is, Mary answered:

Growing up in the country with lots of fresh air, being strong and working hard along with good fresh fish like I was brought up on.

I have had ups and downs, but I am a very lucky woman and have had a very happy life.

Lisa Honeywell, Home Manager at St Anne’s care home, added:

Mary is such a wonderful lady. She wakes up with a smile and goes to bed with a smile! The kindness shown to all around her is an inspiration.

Mary is very happy at St Anne’s care home and has good relationships with all the team who care for her. Most of the staff would love to take her home with them in a heartbeat.

For more information on St Anne’s care home, please click here.