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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
James Martin McCarthy

Northern Ireland woman shares life advice as she celebrates 106th birthday

It is not that often someone can say they have lived through five monarchs and 26 prime ministers - but this week, Jane Bennington could say just that as she celebrated her 106th birthday.

Born in Carland Manse near Cookstown in 1917, Jane was one of seven children of Rev. Joseph McCausland.

Jane now lives in Balmoral Care Home in Dunmurry where she marked the special occasion with her friends and family.

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Speaking to Belfast Live, Jane said: "My father was Rev. Joseph McCausland and he was a Presbyterian minister.

"I was born near Cookstown then we moved to Kilmacrenan in Donegal for a while, then to Lisbellaw in Co Fermanagh where I went to Enniskillen Collegiate School.

"I put my long life down to all the organic fruit and vegetables that my father grew in his garden."

In an unusual step for that time, Jane's parents were in favour of educating the girls of the family and so after attending the Collegiate School in Enniskillen, Jane went to catering college in Glasgow before deciding to train as a nurse in Birmingham.

"I trained as a nurse in Birmingham before becoming a midwife and I got stuck there because of the Second World War," she added.

"I then went to work as a nurse in Malta for a while before coming home and nursing in Lagan Valley then the Royal.

"I finished my career as a health visitor around the Carrickfergus area and it was then that I had to learn to drive in my 50s!"

After retiring from the health service, Jane went to help out in a residential home and it was there that she met her husband Arnold Bennington, however Arnold sadly died two years after they had got married.

"I am a committed Christian and when I was 21 in Birmingham, I put my trust in the Lord and he helps me.

"In the morning I read scripture and ask God to help and guide me. It's wonderful.

"My grief brings piece and I can pray about things. I ask God to guide me and he does that. He brings me peace of mind."

Giving one piece of advice to younger generations, Jane said to do what is right and to be a friend of Jesus.

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