Phyllis Deacon from Herald Lodge care home in Coventry ‘felt like a queen’ when she received 233 cards on her 102nd birthday.
Born in 1921, Phyllis joined the Royal Airforce at age 18 in 1939, where she stayed for five years until she and her husband, Wilfred, married, honeymooning in London.
On their return to Coventry, Phyllis and Wilfred started a family, having two children named Anne and John, whilst Phyllis worked as a wage clerk.
Later in life when she retired, Phyllis’ hobbies were focussed on arts and crafts at the Women’s Institute, where she would sell her paintings, drawings and pressed flowers on a Wednesday morning.
In 2021, at the young age of 99, Phyllis made the decision to move into Herald Lodge, where one month later she celebrated her 100th birthday.
This year, when Phyllis woke up on her 102nd birthday, she was showered with birthday cards and gifts. Travelling from as far as Scotland, Phyllis’ family couldn’t wait to spend her birthday doing all of her favourite things.
In the morning, singer and performer, Gemma Richens, serenaded Phyllis whilst she and her family sung and danced along to some of Phyllis’ favourite songs.
After working up an appetite, Phyllis and her family enjoyed a home cooked roast pork lunch with all the trimmings at the request of the birthday girl before joining in with an armchair fitness session – one of Phyllis’ favourite activities at Herald Lodge.
Smiling from ear-to-ear, Phyllis said, ‘I felt like a queen, and I was so grateful for all the work the staff at Herald Lodge had put in to make my day so special.
‘I’m also grateful to my family for travelling so far to see me; it was lovely to be able to have lunch with them, arranged by the beautiful home I live in.
‘I just want to thank all the staff at Herald Lodge with all my heart.’
Gemma Pearcey, the Home Manager at Herald Lodge, said,
‘We feel honoured to have Phyllis living with us at Herald Lodge. She’s been such a huge part of our family for the past two years, so we consider ourselves very lucky to have been able to give her a special 102nd birthday.’
When asked what her secret to a long and happy life was, Phyllis simply said ‘never give up’.
Herald Lodge is a residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes. With 42 ensuite bedrooms, attractive décor and freely accessible gardens, Herald Lodge is rated as GOOD by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).