A SPECIAL celebration was held at a Hampshire care home in honour of a resident’s 100th birthday.

Iris Mary Goodall, known as Mary, was welcomed by friends and family as well as the Mayor of Fareham Cllr David Norris on her special day at Hamble Heights care home in Park Gate.

Residents and staff began the party celebrations with a slideshow looking at the fashion, transport and landscape of 100 years ago.

Her nephew John Knight said: “Not only am I secure in the knowledge that my aunt is safe and comfortable at Hamble Heights but that there are people prepared to go that extra step.

“Aunty Mary’s 100th birthday celebration was a prime example of this, with all the staff, on duty and off duty, putting themselves out with extraordinary efforts and compassion to ensure the day was very special.”

Born in 1915, Mary is the adopted daughter of respected coal merchant Bill Howse and his wife Daisy, and lived in the Old School House in Ropley.

She has never married after the love of her life died during the Second World War. She trained as a nurse and became a theatre matron at a London hospital.

Daily Echo:

Mary moved to Southampton in 1975, retiring from nursing and settling down in Bitterne to become a keen member of the historical society.