MAUREEN’S KIND ACT MARKS 105TH
A BARGEDDIE woman has celebrated her 105th birthday in style – by donating to food poverty charity Mary’s Meals. Maureen O’Brien, born on October 16, 1915, has lived 80 years of her life in her home in Bargeddie and celebrated her landmark birthday on Friday.
Her only granddaughter, Maureen Slowey, said that her desire to donate £ 1000 to Mary’s Meals – a charity which supplies meals to children living in poverty across the world – was largely inspired by her upbringing.
She said: “Her mum died at the age of 40 when my gran was only 15.
“She was the oldest of eight siblings and so she had to look after everyone from there on out.
“I think because she knew how difficult it was for her growing up, she doesn’t want to see anyone else have to go through that.
“For her 100th, she paid for meals for two children for a year.”
Maureen married her partner William in April 1940 and moved into the Bargeddie residence that she still calls home.
She also gave birth to her only child, Eileen, shortly after.
Her granddaughter said: “After they got married and moved into the house, my grandad was drafted in the army for World War Two.
“My mum was born during this time so it was really difficult for her because I don’t think my grandad saw her in person until she was three years old.
“She says that her fondest memory is probably their wedding day.”
William passed away in 1996, but Maureen has kept herself busy keeping active well into her recent years, becoming Bargeddie’s first centurion in 2015.
Her granddaughter said: “She has been very lucky with her health and has stayed fairly healthy throughout her life.
“She still enjoys going out to the shops and everyone in the area knows her.
“Even up until about 100, she would be on the bus into Coatbridge.”
While the lockdown has been difficult for Maureen, she spent the time crocheting mittens, hats and shawls for newborn babies in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
She has also was visited by her sister, Josephine, for the first time in months.
Her granddaughter said: “She was finding lockdown difficult, as we all were, but she was getting fed up because she is still quite active and she was stuck in the house.
“She was able to see her sister a few months ago and on her birthday too so she’ll be delighted with that.”
Maureen celebrated her 105th birthday on Friday, with her family, including her sister Josephine, and her fifth birthday letter from The Queen.
Maureen’s granddaughter also revealed her secret to A long life.
She said: “Porridge. Her secret is definitely porridge, she loves it and eats it almost every day.
“She also says that it’s important to stay happy and healthy above anything else.”