Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MAUREEN IS 103 YEARS YOUNG
Celebrations on magical milestone
A special Bargeddie birthday girl celebrated in style with her many friends from the local community – as she turned 103.
Maureen O’Brien enjoyed a party on her big day, hosted at the area’s Safety Zone by members of the Young At Heart club which she helped establish.
She was joined by relatives and friends to enjoy cake and a buffet and received a host of gifts, flowers and cards to mark the occasion.
Her proud daughter Eileen Slowey told the Advertiser: “She was absolutely delighted and grateful for all the celebrations. It was a lovely day for her.
“There were around 25 friends and club members at the party and then she had lots more people turning up at her house throughout the rest of the day.
“She’s one of the founder members of Young At Heart and, although she doesn’t manage along every week now, she’s a lifelong member and goes on special occasions.
“The committee members helped lay on the party for her and she received lots of lovely things like flowers and jewellery and lots of cards.”
Maureen has seen four monarchs at Buckingham Palace and 25 changes of Prime Minister since she was born in Tollcross on October 16, 1915, during World War One.
She is the eldest of eight children and helped to raise her younger siblings after her mother died aged just 40, when Maureen was 16.
The centenarian’s first job was at Beattie’s bakery in Dennistoun and she later worked at church houses in Baillieston, Moodiesburn and Hamilton.
Maureen was married in 1940 to William O’Brien, who died in 1996. The happy couple then welcomed daughter Eileen and granddaughter Maureen Slowey.
She still lives in the Monkland View Crescent home which she and William moved into more than 78 years ago and regularly welcomes her family, including sister Josephine, 96.
Back in 2015 the Advertiser told how Maureen had become “the first centenarian in Bargeddie’s history” as she celebrated her landmark 100th birthday.
Eileen added: “She keeps herself busy with knitting, crochet and crosswords and she goes to Mass on Saturdays at St Kevin’s in Bargeddie.
“She’s been involved in various clubs over the years, doing activities like bingo and dancing, and she would still go to the supermarket for her own shopping right up until she was 100.
“We take her out whenever we can, including to see her sister in Tollcross, and her carers have told her she’s the oldest service user in the area.
“Mum thoroughly enjoyed her 103rd birthday. She had a lovely day and is so grateful to everyone.”
She was absolutely delighted... it was a lovely day for her