Helen, 100, parties with mayor

A100-YEAR-OLD resident celebrated her birthday on Friday, March 6.

Helen Dwyer, who was born in Rochdale and now lives at Margaret Ward Court residential home was visited by the Mayor of Rochdale, Billy Sheerin, and received a telegram from the Queen.

The centenarian is a devout Catholic and still attends St John the Baptist Church up to four times a week despite her age, which she had been doing all her life.

Helen has no family but has many friends from the church.

Friend at the home, Ted Stott, 73, says Helen began work at around 14 in a confectioners before working in the Co-Op Bakery.

He said: “I have been here six years and she’s been here a bit longer.

“She’s a very good person - at 100 years old she’s partly blind - she can see, but not read.

“She’s the kind of person that will do anything for you, and she’s very chirpy. She’s a very nice person.”

She worked in catering until she retired.

A party was held at Margaret Ward Court at lunch time. The Mayor Billy Sheerin and Mayoress Lynn Sheerin attended, not only in his formal capacity, but also as a personal friend.

He also presented Helen with a scroll from Rochdale Council.

After a buffet lunch, entertainment in the form of a sing along was provided by Jed and Maggie Morgan, from St John’s Church, followed by songs from the scheme manager of Margaret Ward Court, Sharon Isherwood.

On Sunday, March 8, a special Mass was held at St John’s Church, in honour of Helen.

The Mayor spoke as a dear friend, the two of them being life long acquaintances.

The highlight of the Mass was the presentation to Helen, of a Papal Blessing, from Rome.

Afterward she was entertained to another buffet lunch at St John’s.