South Shields care home resident celebrates 102nd birthday and shows no signs of slowing down

A South Shields care home resident recently celebrated her 102nd birthday and is as strong as ever, showing no signs of stopping.
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Mary Purvis is a resident at The Lodge Care Home, on Farnham Road, and marked her 102nd birthday on February 28 with a celebration at the care home along with friends, family and fish and chips.

Originally from Gateshead, Mary was born on a leap day on February 29, 1920, has three children and seven grandchildren.

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During World War 2, Mary wanted to join the forces but was stopped by her mother and went on to work at a local Co-op as a seamstress on the ladies clothes floor.

Mary Purvis, 102Mary Purvis, 102
Mary Purvis, 102
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Mary moved into The Lodge Care Home four months ago and has been a welcome addition ever since.

Leanne Hodgson, who works at the home, said: “Mary has the biggest smile and lights up a room, she has such an efficacious laugh, and a terrible sweet tooth and even continues to have a cherry every night.”

During her life, Mary has fond memories of travelling to Newcastle via horse bus and loved dancing so much she was a regular on the dance floor until the age of 90.

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The Lodge is a purpose-built two-storey residential care home offering residential and dementia residential care as well as also offering care for those who require long and short-term respite care.

The Lodge has a dedicated activities coordinator providing stimulating and enjoyable activities tailored to the individual needs of residents, promoting well being and enabling them to enjoy life to the full.

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