Portsmouth News

Peggy celebrates in fine style...

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1916 at Gosport. Her mother, a shopkeeper and her father a greengroce­r.

As a young woman she worked with dresses before moving to London to work for Lady McMahon as a servant.

It was in London that she met her late husband, Michael Dineen, who served in the army with the Royal Engineers. It was love at first sight.

The pair tied the knot at Holy Trinity Church, Gosport, and went on to have four children – Anne, Jane, Michael and Peter.

Peggy now has eight grandchild­ren, eight great grandchild­ren and about 10 great-great grandchild­ren.

Some family members joined Peggy before her party started, as coronaviru­s restrictio­ns meant they could only stay for a limited time.

But the easy-going pensioner made the most of it, confident she would celebrate another year with a whisky in hand.

Carly says: ‘Peggy will still have the odd whisky now. She’ll always say whisky got her to 105.

‘She likes Famous Grouse. That’s her whisky.

‘It’s her secret. As well as singing, dancing and having banter – that’s what we always do.’

What she is adamant on though, is that she did not like to play sports in her youth. But she does still keep her mind active, as well as listening to some of her favourite singers like Vera Lynn and Frank Sinatra.

Although more frail now, Peggy still comes down to join the other residents, particular­ly when the activity coordinato­r hosts entertainm­ent.

Carly says: ‘She loves dancing. She's more limited now but she'll still dance away in her chair - whereas we used to stand up and dance everywhere.’ Peggy cheekily sniggers at this remark.

‘When the entertaine­r came she’d be dancing the whole time!’

For Peggy, the most important lesson she’s learnt in life is to always love other people as she likes to feel loved.

 ?? ?? ADORATION Peggy with her carers, Kayleigh Smith and Sam Hill.
ADORATION Peggy with her carers, Kayleigh Smith and Sam Hill.
 ?? ?? BIRTHDAY GIRL Peggy still enjoys a tipple of whisky.
BIRTHDAY GIRL Peggy still enjoys a tipple of whisky.

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