Three friends all over 100 have revealed their secret to a long life – that includes keeping a “toy boy nearby.”
Daisy, 103, Irene, 101 and Phyllis, 103 say they still laugh and “enjoy life to the fullest”.
Each woman has been through her own fair share of triumph and torture – World Wars and loves had and lost
The three pals who all live in the same care home have now shared their advice on how to live to a century – and enjoy the journey along the way.
They also said happiness, staying active, family, fresh air and nature are other keys to helping live a long life.
Daisy Taylor, turning 104 this month, said she makes the most of every day and loves having her large family around her to do this with.
She said: “We all meet and we enjoy life – I look forward to it. I live life to the full. I’m always on the go, I don’t like sitting around.
“Sitting in a chair is not my scene really, but’s it’s come to that now! But the carers keep me busy.”
Daisy, who has two daughters, one son, 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, admits she has always loved to keep active.
Her carers at Manor Lodge in Chelmsford, Essex, says she “walks to and from the dining room and is very speedy in activities”.
They say both Daisy and Phyliss are the oldest people to attend our movement to music and be able to participate fully.”
Daisy said: “I like doing things.
“Yoga, dancing, cycling, I’ve always been to exercise classes and mixing with people is a nice thing.”
Daisy says she met her husband named Ramon at just 19 years old during a dance – the pair were married 39 years before he passed away at just 60.
But she confesses she “has a toyboy in another local care home who is 96.”
Irene Rankin describes herself as an “easygoing” soul who “gets on well with mostly everything”.
Irene, born in Clapton, London, says she has always loved being outdoors.
She said: “I like to be in the fresh air, beside the seaside, in nature – I remember walking for miles.
“The animals and the plants have always taken my fancy because they are living creatures.”
Irene, who worked with machines in upholstery – the same job as Daisy, has always thrown herself into her hobbies and things that make her happy, admitting there “aren’t many things [she] dislikes.”
Irene, who used to be captain of her school swimming team, explained: “I have always loved swimming and diving.
“Cooking, my gardening – whatever I’m doing I like it to look nice.”
But the Doris Day fan says one of her biggest loves in life is music – “anything music”.
Irene’s carers at Manor Lodge say the joyful lady “dances all the time”.
Irene said: “I like to sing in my own way! Music always brings back such lovely memories and I thoroughly enjoy it.
“Dancing, laughter and joining in are things I have lived by.”
Phyllis Cotrell, 103, loves to knit. (James Linsell-Clark via SWNS)
Phyllis Cottrell loves her knitting and still teaches people to knit now – at 103 years old.
Much like her two friends, Phyllis has always been active and “cannot stand not doing anything.”
The mother-of-two from East London met her first husband at 18, but he passed away shortly after their wedding after leaving the country to fight in the war.
Phyllis raised her daughter on her own for four years, before meeting Charles, who she endearingly named ‘Red’.
Phyllis, who had her second daughter with Red, said: “I was happily married for 73 years and one of my greatest achievements was finding love again with Red.”
She was not only a mother but worked in many different fields, including a dinner lady, running a laundry, initially joining Dorothy Perkins as a cleaner and ending up as a salesperson, model – and retired when she was 80.
Phyllis, who now has three grandchildren, says living and eating healthily is very important.
She explained: “I used to tell the children that they must eat their greens! But it was just being with people and my family that makes me happy.”
Phyllis, now living with dementia, says if she could give advice on how to live a long and happy life, it would be to “be kind and optimistic – a positive attitude is the key to life.
She added: “Also keep yourself warm in the winter!”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
