Centenarian overawed by her congratulations

Centenarian overawed by her congratulations

1 February 2023

A BELOVED long term resident of a Ballynahinch residential home celebrated her 100th birthday this week.

Mrs Jean Hamilton was inundated with over 60 cards and congratulatory messages from friends, family and well-wishers, King Charles and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.

Mrs Hamilton turned 100 on Sunday when she was visited at Redburn Nursing Home by her five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

For her birthday party the following day she was joined by her two children, Sir Nigel Hamilton and Mrs Arlene Wright, and care staff at Redburn where she has been a resident for ten years.

“Mum was was in a fall about ten years ago,” Sir Nigel said. “Luckily she wasn’t injured, but was taken to Redburn for respite care and after a fortnight she asked if she could stay. She’s been here ever since and she loves it. The care is absolutely superb and they know us as a family and treat us very well.”

Mrs Hamilton was born Jean Henderson on January 30, 1923, one of eight children —six girls and two boys — and spent most of her life in Belfast.

Mrs Hamilton devoted her time to raising Nigel and Arlene and, after her husband James died in 1965, worked as a civil servant to support and raise her children until they graduated from university. 

She also served her community, becoming a member of the management committees of five Belfast schools.

Even as recently as four years ago, Mrs Hamilton hosted local primary school children at Redburn and gave them a history lesson on what life was like during World War Two. 

It’s that sense of serving the community that has permeated Mrs Hamilton’s life and filled it with such joy.

Mrs Hamilton attributes her long life to her friends and family and says the thought of loved ones coming to visit motivates her to stay healthy. She also has three surviving sisters who live in Canada, Australia and Tandragee.

Also in attendance at her special party on Monday were the Lord Lieutenant of County Down Gawn Rowan-Hamilton and members of the Belvoir Methodist Church, of which she has been a member for her entire life.

Sir Nigel said: “Due to circumstances she can’t go any more, but church members come to visit her and she loves being part of the church.”

Methodist Church lay leader Tom WIlson, Rev Tanita Lee, Director of Ministry, Rev John Alderdice and the President of Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev David Nixon all made the journey to Ballynahinch to celebrate with Mrs Hamilton on Monday.

Mrs Hamilton said it was “unbelievable” to receive messages from King Charles and President Higgins. 

These messages, and some 60 others from friends and family, have been a great comfort to her on her special day.

“She’s been overawed, absolutely overawed by them,” Sir Nigel said. “She can’t believe how many people have come to see her.”