Phyllis celebrates 100th birthday in style

Music and dancing were central to the surprise birthday party our dedicated team threw for glamorous resident, Phyllis Walker, as she turned 100.

Our team went above and beyond to make Phyllis feel special and to ensure she celebrated in style. We knew how much Phyllis loved to look her best and so we arranged some pre-party pampering, which included having her nails painted and her hair freshly done by the in-house hairdresser. We also helped her to pick out the perfect outfit.

Phyllis has been a resident here at our 70-bedroom home, which offers residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, for the past three years. Her celebration was shared with friends, family members and loved ones.

“I had a fantastic time with everyone,” said Phyllis. “It was a wonderful surprise and a very special day. I felt very loved. I like to always look my best and I liked having my hair and makeup done but I didn’t know I was getting dressed up for my own party! I loved all the music and dancing – these are the key things to a long, happy life.”

Phyllis’ has a large family, including two daughters, Jackie and Marilyn, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.

“Our favourite memories of Mum from when we were younger are when we went to get new party outfits,” Jackie said. “Especially for Christmas and Easter – we always had Easter bonnets. She was always singing and dancing and loved to party. She was always so glamorous too and always looked lovely.

Her family, who visit the home at least twice a week, enjoy joining in with the activities, such as afternoon tea dances and coffee mornings but this celebration was extra special for them all. The celebrations were complete with balloons, a homemade cake and a personalised congratulatory card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

“It was a wonderful day and we are so grateful to the team at Ashbrook Court for organising such a special party for Mum,” Jackie said. “It was brilliant to all be together.”

“The music was great, we were all dancing and it was a very lively party in the end!” Marilyn added.

We pride ourselves on our strong family feel, with residents’ friends, families and loved ones all becoming part of the Ashbrook family. Our home’s lifestyle coordinator, Lorna Morey was among those who helped to organise the party.

“Everyone always says Phyllis is a warm ray of sunshine” Lorna said. “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to have been able to provide this opportunity to celebrate such a wonderful and delightful lady who we all adore.

“Luckily, she doesn’t take much persuading when it comes to looking her best, so she didn’t question the pampering we’d organised! Phyllis is a very sociable person and enjoys being in the company of others. She loves seeing her family and has lots of friends here at the home. She enjoys being involved with anything happening in the lounge, whether that’s colouring, puzzles, crafts, coffee and chats, or a good old sing song. She greets everyone with a gentle smile and a “Hello dear” and is always kind and inclusive of everyone around her.

“Phyllis loves all the music and dancing at our home so of course we wanted to have Brandon, her favourite singer, as the entertainment. It was lovely to have her family together alongside her friends and the team from Ashbrook. It really meant so much to us all.”

Phyllis was born in Shoreditch and moved to Hackney Road as a young girl after her family were fortunate to secure a new flat with a bathroom. She was married to her husband George for 60 years before he passed away and worked throughout her life as a saleswoman, a publican and later as a travel agent. She has always been a very hands-on grandmother and great grandmother.

“We chose Ashbrook through a friend’s recommendation and our own research,” Jackie said. “We were impressed by the friendliness of everybody and of course the facilities. We’re so glad we did because it’s become our second home!”