A fold in a Co Antrim village has held a tea party to say goodbye to one of its oldest residents.
Pat Charleston, 97, moved into Cedar Court fold 22 years ago and was one of the first residents to call the Whiteabbey fold their home.
Now, she's moved from the independent living fold into nearby Jordanstown Care Home. As a way to say goodbye and mark the friendships Pat has made over the years, residents at Cedar Court grouped together to throw her a party on Wednesday afternoon.
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Pat said she was "completely overwhelmed" at the party thrown in her honour, with residents at the fold organising refreshments, balloons, and a rose tree planting ceremony.
Her daughter, Susie, told Belfast Live that her mum has been a central part of the little community at Cedar Court over the years.
She said: "My mum used to live in Merville and we were out for a drive, we were going past here and she said, 'This is where I'm going to live.' They were still building the place, but she'd put her name down on the list and never told the family.
"She blagged her way in. It was still a building site, and and she went up to the builders and said 'this is where I'm going to be living - can I come in and have a look?' They stuck a hard hat on her and in she went.
"Mum was one of the first to sign up to move in here 22 years ago. She left in May and went in to a care home at Jordanstown. Up until then she was living here independently, she's 98 in November."
Describing her mum as a "character", Susie said she will miss the residents here the most now that she's moved on.
"She's known as The Queen here because anytime there were events or special occasions, they would dress her up as the Queen or the Queen Mother," Susie added.
"I think she'll miss the people here the most, they're all very close to each other. But it was her decision to move on into a care home, and she's very happy where she is now.
"It's only around the corner too so she can still call around here to see everyone. There's a hair salon in here too and she calls down every week to get her hair done and see everybody."
Maria McConville has been living at Cedar Court for a year and a half now. In that time, she and Pat struck up a friendship, and she organised the tea party as a send off for her.
"I nicknamed her the Dowager after Maggie Smith's character in Downton Abbey," Maria laughed.
"She's always been very prim and proper, everything has to be very nice. You would always be on your best behaviour around her - it's like meeting the Queen.
"I made her a wee cup of tea in the old fashioned way, with a China cup and saucer. After I did that, that was it - we were friends, that was all it took.
"When I came here it was a breath of fresh air for me, I started feeling like I was living. I just love it. I feel very protective over the other residents here as well."
Sean McKenna, Housing Manager for Clanmil Housing said: "I was pleased to be invited to the tea party and rose planting ceremony today.
"Pat's been here from the scheme opened, and it's nice she's only moved around the corner so she can still see her friends here often.
"We're delighted Maria was able to organise a send off, Pat has always been held in high esteem, we're sad to see her go but delighted she's still nearby."
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