JLiving’s oldest tenant
IT WAS party time at jLving’s Harmony Close apartments in Golders Green as the housing association’s oldest tenant, Mary van Gelder, celebrated her 104th birthday.
Guests included former Barnet Mayor Councillor Caroline Stock, who presented Mrs van Gelder with a gift and card. As the birthday girl doesn’t drink alcohol, she toasted her longevity with a glass of apple juice.
Having moved into Harmony Close when she was 95, Mrs van Gelder continues to live life independently with very little assistance. She does her own cleaning and ventures out weekly to shop in Edgware or Brent Cross.
Before the pandemic, she regularly played cards in the communal lounge and enjoyed going to bingo.
Born in Manchester, Mrs van Gelder’s family moved to London’s East End when she was four. After marriage, she worked in a Bristol aircraft factory making screws for planes.
She and husband Harry settled in London after the war, initially in Bethnal Green and later in Palmers Green. They retired to Bournemouth, Mrs van Gelder returning to London following his death.
Her daughter Maxine passed away in 2007 and she has two grandsons and three great-grandsons.
Mrs van Gelder attributes her longevity to being a non-smoker, a night owl and a daily breakfast of cornflakes, honey and blueberries. jLiving CEO Jane Goodman said it was “heart-warming to see Mary still enjoying life so much, especially living at Harmony Close where she has so many wonderful friends. She really does make the most of every minute and is an inspiration to us all.”
She makes the most of every minute and is an inspiration to us all’