A Nottinghamshire resident has celebrated turning 104. Doll Smith, of Mansfield, commemorated the milestone on Friday, November 11, with a surprise party with friends and fellow residents at Beech Court.
Doll has her own home at the sheltered housing complex in Mansfield Woodhouse, which is owned by Mansfield District Council. The 104 year old is still able to do much of her own care, enjoys spending time with her friends and is a regular at the weekly Age Concern group sessions.
Apart from receiving support from carers, Doll lives an independent life and is in fairly good health. When asked about her secret to living a long life, Doll said: "A pint of John Smiths and laughing with my friends every day."
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Doll spends a lot of her time in the community room, and also enjoys having her hair done weekly so she can continue to look fantastic for family visits. She worked in a local factory for more than 40 years and has one son who is now 83 years old, and two granddaughters.
Doll was married to Alfred, and the pair shared a dog in their home at Mansfield Woodhouse, but when both passed away Doll longed for company and to be with her friends. She moved to Beech Court over six years ago in her late 90s.
Viv Thompson, ASSIST Support Officer for the authority, supports pensioners at Beech Court. She said: "We marked Doll’s 100 th and pulled out all of the stops and didn’t believe we would be here today for 104 – well, here we are. Doll used to live in the area in a lovely little bungalow but always said she felt lonely and didn’t know what was happening in the community.
"So, in her late 90s, she wanted to move to Beech Court to the bedsit as there were people around, and she craved the company of people. Doll buzzes off of company, she loves community spirit.
"From attending her weekly Age Concern group to enjoying social events on Monday with her carers, she is non-stop. She is absolutely fantastic, her sense of humour, just everything."
Viv continued: "She is doing amazing. She loves Elvis, and we tried to get him to come for the party, but unfortunately he wasn’t available."
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams added: “Doll is such an amazing lady, reaching an unbelievable milestone I can only hope and aspire all our Mansfield residents to reach one day. It is really unusual for someone to be living so independently at such an age, but it is brilliant to hear how well Doll is doing and enjoying her time at Beech Court.
"I think the key to her longevity is always smiling and her mischievous sense of humour. Providing a supportive and adapted space to residents when they reach a certain age is exactly what our sheltered housing aims to achieve.”
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