Joan Celebrates 100th Birthday at Abbotts Barton

The youngest of eight centenarians at one of our Winchester care homes has celebrated her 100^th birthday.

Former teacher Joan joined the ‘100 club’ at Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton with a party featuring a visit from one of her sons and a granddaughter and a recital by a string quartet.

Asked for her secret of living to a great age, she cited the importance of family and her love of teaching and said: “It just happens. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family around me.”

Born in 1926, Joan’s earliest memories are attending Long Eaton Grammar school in Nottinghamshire and being in local youth and church groups.

Having worked as a primary school teacher and lived most of her life in the town of Sandiacre on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, she eventually moved to Winchester in 2022.

Joan has three sons, David and twins John and James, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Among her interests in years gone by, she spent much time walking in nature in the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District. She also played piano and enjoyed a love of music with her husband, a violinist and orchestra conductor.

Joan is one of eight centenarians at Abbotts Barton. The eldest is 106-year-old Betty, who celebrated her birthday earlier this year on the same day as fellow resident Daphne became 100. The other centenarians are Chloe, Marjorie, Russell, Ian, and Arthur.