Ballygowan’s Sarah starts new century

Ballygowan’s Sarah starts new century

25 September 2013

BALLYGOWAN woman Sarah Boyle has become the latest lady in Northern Ireland to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Her Carrickmannon Road home was a flurry of activity on Tuesday last week with deliveries of flowers, cards and presents to mark the occasion of her centenary.

Family, friends and neighbours called to see Mrs. Boyle who admitted while “the house never stopped all day,” it was great to see everyone coming to wish her very special birthday greetings.

Mrs. Boyle was one of five children born to Elizabeth and James Adair. Her siblings were sister Kathleen and brothers Jim, Gerald and George.

Known to her friends as Cissy, Mrs. Boyle was born at The Brae in Ballygowan and was educated at Magherascouse Primary School.

She married in 1938, aged 26, to her husband Samuel, with the couple raising four children — Margaret, who passed away recently, Katie, Harry and May. The centenarian has 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

After leaving school, Mrs. Boyle worked for the Walls family as a housekeeper and it was a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

Surrounded by birthday cards — with almost one for every year of her life — and beautiful bouquets of flowers, the Ballygowan woman admitted she does not know why she has lived so long.

“We didn’t have much to eat when I was young and in those days of course you did not throw food away,” she explained.

“I have always been healthy but don’t exactly know what the secret is to living to 100. I worked hard all my life, maybe that’s got something to do with it.”

Mrs. Boyle said people are now better off than when she was younger and that life is easier for many. But she said the amount of stress in today’s world was not something she witnessed growing up.

But does she feel special to have celebrated her 100th birthday?

“I think I do feel special,” said Mrs. Boyle with a warm, endearing smile. “I have never had any words with anyone over the years and always got on very well with my neighbours. My family have been very good and really supportive to me over the years.”

Mrs. Boyle, who has received a telegram from the Queen, and 100th birthday greetings are on the way from Irish President Michael D. Higgins, is thrilled to have reached her landmark birthday, revealing how special it is to be with her grandchildren.

“They call to see me which is great,” she continued. “It is always lovely to see them.”

An avid newspaper reader, Mrs. Boyle likes watching television but is not a big fan of the soaps. However, she admits to having a liking for Strictly Come Dancing.

Mrs. Boyle said she just “takes each day as it comes” and said her faith has been very important to her throughout her life. She worshipped at St. Joseph’s Church in Carrickmannon and said Fr. Anthony McHugh has been particularly good to her.

Mrs. Boyle’s daughter Katie, said her mother has always enjoyed good health, and added that the family are delighted she has celebrated her 100th birthday.