I’ve no doubt living a plain life helped me celebrate my 101st birthday

I’ve no doubt living a plain life helped me celebrate my 101st birthday

11 November 2015

ETHEL Russell has a zest for life. The Hollymount woman celebrated her 101st birthday last week at the King’s Castle Nursing Home in Ardglass surrounded by family and staff.

Never married, Ethel puts her longevity down to living what she described as a “plain life” and revealed that despite her age, she is still an avid reader and likes to keep up with world events watching television news programmes.

Her daily reading diet includes perusing the pages of the News Letter and she also finds time to read novels, admitting she loves a good love story. Every Wednesday, Ethel would not be without a copy of her favourite weekly, the Down Recorder.

Ethel lived at Hollymount in her youth and was a faithful member of the congregation at Hollymount Church and said her love of cricket can be traced back to her childhood days.

“There used to be a cricket ground close to the church and I would watch the games. I have a real interest in the sport and still like to watch cricket on the television when I can,” she said, displaying her warm smile.

During her working career, Ethel was a highly respected member of staff at the former Downpatrick Timber Slate and Coal company in Church Street in Downpatrick which is now part of the Brooks Group. The centenarian lived at New Bridge Street.

“I always kept myself busy and loved my job. When I wasn’t working, I loved to walk. I always had things to keep me active. I never smoked or drank alcohol and have no doubt that living a plain life has enabled me to celebrate my 101st birthday.

“I always enjoyed going to church and rarely missed a Sunday service. Church worship was something very important to me and I saw a number of ministers come and go at Hollymount over the years. I remember Dean Carmody, Dean Kilpatrick, the Rev Ralph Peters and Canon Mervyn Dickson.”

Ethel, who was a resident at River House in Newcastle for two decades, moved to King’s Castle last month and says she very much enjoys life.

She is also delighted that a number of her relatives still call at the nursing home in Ardglass to see her, including Sammy and Myrtle McBride.

Ethel added: “I enjoy the company of the other residents and it is nice when we are all together. The staff are also very good.

“I do like to read and want to know what is going on not just locally but across the world. That’s why I like to watch the news. But the soaps are not for me. I never watch them.”