Edith has a royal time
SAYS SHE FELT LIKE THE QUEEN ON SPECIAL BIRTHDAY
“IT’S been a magic day” – those were the words of a care home resident after the community rallied round to make her 100th birthday extra special.
More than 100 handmade cards, gifts and a personalised birthday cake were delivered to Edith Bryant in time for her birthday on January 12.
And as she sat by the window in the lounge of her Kenton care home, members of the community, many she had never met before, walked by to wish her a happy birthday.
Children held up banners, families stopped by to sing happy birthday and others gave her a wave and a smile as they passed by on their daily walk.
Edith said: “I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful time. I got lots of beautiful cards from people I don’t even know – people have been so generous.
“I’ve been speechless at times. I’ve been getting things that I’ve never had before and I got a card from the Queen too. If she was here, I would say, Lizzie, you’re a wonder, thank you.”
The surprise followed a Facebook post by Sarah Strawbridge, an activity coordinator at Edith’s home at HC-One’s Kirkwood Court care home.
Sarah and her co-worker Lauren Proctor were saddened to think of Edith celebrating her 100th birthday in lockdown without friends or family.
So they took to the Facebook group Kenton Corona Help to ask if any local residents could help in wishing Edith a happy birthday by making a card or writing her a message.
Soon they were inundated with kind messages, cards from schoolchildren and donations of gifts from local businesses, including a birthday cake from Tesco, Kingston Park.
Sarah said: “Edith didn’t know any of this was happening so she has been overwhelmed by the kindness of the community and was a bit teary at times.
“She said she can’t believe there’s still some good in the world and people have done all of this for her even though they’ve never met her before.
“She said she feels like the Queen waving at all the people walking by through the day – it’s been the most adorable day.”
Edith was born in Byker and spent 20 years in the area before moving to Gosforth.
She lived there before moving to Kirkwood Court.
She met her husband Laurie at her uncle’s house on Shields Road when she was 17.
They married three years later and spent the next 56 years together.
Edith believes the secret to a long life is “just getting on with life” and having a drop of brandy every once in a while.
She added: “Thank you, I’ve had a fabulous time and a really good laugh with the people at the home.”