Lily celebrates her centenary in style

Lily celebrates her centenary in style

28 January 2015

DOWN district’s latest centenarian believes a simple life recipe is responsible for her longevity.

Lily Hamilton, who celebrated her 100th birthday last week, said taking life as it comes, being happy and not worrying are the keystones to her reaching such a significant milestone.

A resident at the Glasswater Lodge care home outside Crossgar, Lily was joined by five generations of her family for her very special birthday party last week and was delighted so many of her friends and family joined her for the occasion.

Helping Lily celebrate was her lifelong friend and fellow care home resident Eileen Magowan (97). When Eileen married in 1943, Lily was her bridesmaid after the pair formed a close bond during their childhood days.

Born in Ballynahinch in 1915, Lily admits she does not feel 100 and joked she hopes to be fit and healthy next January to celebrate her 101st birthday.

Lily has lived during the reign of three monarchs and was delighted to receive a birthday card from the Queen and a letter congratulating her on her 100th birthday from Irish President, Michael D. Higgins.

She is also president of Ballynahinch Royal British Legion’s Women’s Section — a position she has held for three decades — and was presented with a beautiful brooch during last week’s birthday celebrations in recognition of her dedication to the organisation and the annual Poppy Appeal. Lily has been a member of the Ballynahinch branch for 65 years. The brooch presented to her by Joanne Andrew Steer, President of the Royal British Legion Northern Ireland Women’s Section.

Lily was joined last week by her two nieces, four great nieces, nine great great nieces and nephews and two great, great, great nieces.

“It’s lovely to see so many here today to help me celebrate my birthday,” she said, as the presents, flowers and cards from family, friends and well wishers filled a table in front of her.

Lily, who was born on the same day the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat off the Irish coast, was joined by baby Kathleen Lily Allison, her youngest relative – 100 years younger.

“I was born and reared in Ballynahinch,” Lily proudly declared. “It is my home town. I went to school there and my first job after leaving school was in Ballynahinch. I have a very long association with the Royal British Legion branch in the town and have always taken a very keen interest in its work.

“My father was involved in the British Legion and you could say my interest in the organisation stemmed from that. My father fought during the First World War and survived the conflict. He also spent time guarding a German prisoner of war camp.”

Lily was born six months just before her father went to war and remembers the day he came home for good by which stage she was five years old.

Educated at Bells School in Ballynahinch, which was located close to the town’s cenotaph in Main Street, Lily’s working career began in her home town with the Antrim Manufacturing Company. She was just 14.

“I have always kept myself reasonably fit over the years and really don’t feel any different than I did 20 or 30 years ago, even though I am now 100. I always enjoyed dancing and gardening was one of my favourite hobbies. I just loved being out in the garden,” explained Lily who lived at Church Road, close to Edengrove Bowling Club.

The birthday girl said she was pleased to be surrounded by so many family and friends and of course Eileen. She said it was “lovely” to have her beside on her special day.

Lily continued: “We have known each other such a long time and we are now both living at Glasswater Lodge. I am so pleased my family organised this birthday event and it’s great to see so many here. To have my birthday recognised by Her Majesty and the Irish President is also very nice.”

The centenarian said she was happy sitting back taking everything in last week and wore a beaming smile when she was serenaded with a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ by family, friends and staff at Glasswater Lodge.

As she begins her 101st year, Lily revealed she aims to keep busy, taking time out to watch her favourite television programmes which are anything to do with gardening. She also loves to watch documentaries, but admits she is not a fan of the soaps.

Lily, who is a non-smoker and non-drinker, said her recipe for a long life is really quite simple and a routine that is easy to follow.

She added: “Take life as it comes, be happy and don’t worry. Try and live life as best you can.”