100-year-old gran says cash isn’t key to long life
A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER celebrating her 100th birthday in Glasgow has said money isn’t the key to a “long and happy life.
Sarah Friel, who now lives in Cardonald Care Home, will welcome family from all over the world for a party today with her son flying almost 10,000 miles from Australia to mark the event.
The centenarian received gifts from her five children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as local MSP Humza Yousaf, who stopped by to congratulate Sarah with a bouquet of flowers yesterday afternoon.
Staff at the care home helped plan an early birthday celebration, complete with music, balloons and cake, ahead of her big party later today.
Among those at the home were her great granddaughters Kathleen Burns, from Glasgow, and Hannah Nolan, who had come over from America.
Helen McArrey, Sarah’s daughter, said: “My dad has been gone for a long time now so it’s great for her to have all of us together.
“My brother is over from Australia and mum’s granddaughter is here from America too so the party should be great.
“We are a musical family so we’ll all be having a song and dance, even my mum, she’ll be tapping her feet.
“We’ve got some older music for today, Vera Lynn and some other World War Two songs as well.
“My niece can sing like Adele and we’ll all take a turn, as will the care home staff, they’re great.
“Mum still knows all the songs so she’ll be singing along like everyone else.”
Born in Cambuslang on February 25, 1917, Sarah grew up in the area before moving to Glasgow, where she lived for decades.
Amazingly, Sarah and her family found her school leavers certificate from 1931 when they were preparing for the party, which Helen says her mum has proudly been showing off ever since.
Before she got married to her husband Michael, Sarah worked in domestic services and worked with hosiery, as well as in the local Italian Cafe while still at school.
After tying the knot in 1940, Sarah stayed at home to look after her children.
Sadly she became a widow in 1972 after husband Michael passed away.
Long life seems to run in the family, with Sarah’s mother also living past 100 and her sister, Jean, who is attending the party today, now in her 90s.
Helen added: “My auntie Jean, who is coming along, is still doing great to so we’re hoping that this longevity is passed down to all the women in our family.
“My grandmother lived to 102 so we’re hoping that mum can beat that yet.
“Mum always says you don’t need lots of money to lead a long and happy life.”