Well travelled centenarian Phyllis Dawes celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at her Dorset care home.
Relatives from as far afield as Wales travelled to Colten Care’s Fernhill home in Longham for the celebrations.
They were joined by a seven-strong troupe from the Poole-based Wessex Majorettes who performed three special routines in Phyllis’ honour including an excerpt from All That Jazz.
Chef Gary Parsons cooked a birthday cake with pink icing – her favourite colour – and staff joined in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday.’
Phyllis, who received the traditional congratulatory card from The Queen, took the landmark birthday in her stride telling staff: “I’ve had a wonderful time.”
Born in Ealing, London, Phyllis worked for Lloyds Bank for 38 years.
She met her husband, John, the manager of the bank’s Sloane Square branch, while employed as his secretary.
The couple, who had no children, were married for 33 years. They moved to Bournemouth in 1985 and then to Canford Cliffs in Poole.
Phyllis enjoyed many holidays with her late close friend Jeannie Ball and has travelled widely.
She was a passenger on Cunard’s QE2 and, at the age of 89, also travelled on the maiden voyage to America of the company’s flagship Queen Mary 2.
Phyllis became a resident at Fernhill five years ago.
Guests at her 100th birthday party included her cousins, Winston and Debbie Price, from Llanelli, South Wales, and her solicitor, Rose-Marie Stone, from Ellis Jones’ Canford Cliffs office.
Ann Marie Knight, Fernhill’s Activities Organiser, said: “Phyllis is a great character and everyone at the home is very fond of her.
“Reaching 100 is a huge achievement and we were delighted to be part of such a momentous occasion.”
