Great-grandmother's surprise party as she celebrates 90th birthday in isolation

Mavis Dowell was due to mark the milestone birthday and the beginning of her ninth decade on Friday, April 17 with a weekend of celebrations.

But due to the coronavirus outbreak and social distancing guidelines, she was unable to celebrate the day exactly how she had planned.

Many of Mavis’ loved ones were unable to visit her at home and her eldest daughter Sylvia and family who live in Grimsby couldn’t travel up to South Shields for the occasion.

However, family members still made sure she had a day to remember.

Mavis’ niece Jan North surprised her with a huge birthday banner and singing and dancing from the street outside Mavis’ home.

Some of the neighbours even came out to join in, while maintaining the required social distance.

Daughter Jacqueline Jobes - who has been delivering regular meals and groceries - took round dozens of cards, presents and flowers that had been sent from family and friends.

Mavis’ three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also sent video messages of them singing happy birthday and wishing her many happy returns.

“We had a whole weekend planned, it was going to be a big celebration with family coming and going,” said Jacqueline, 63, who lives in West Boldon.

“It was a complete surprise when they turned up this morning and were singing and dancing in the street.”

She continued: “Mum was absolutely thrilled to bits.

“We had a lovely morning, we weren’t expecting anything like that. She was totally stunned and absolutely over the moon.”

Mavis, a former Plessies employee was a woman of many talents, an avid ballroom dancer, artist and musician, but is now sadly suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

“We were hoping to make a really big weekend of it, because we don’t know how her health will be next year,” said Jacqueline.

“My sister really wanted to be there.”

But Jacqueline says the family are now planning an even bigger celebration in Mavis’ honour once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

She added: “We’ll have a good old knees up and pop the champagne corks for her.”

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